John,
It's fine that way. GM used that wiring configurations on some of their
vehicles from the factory.
Your #2 terminal is the voltage sense terminal. It can hook anywere
along the line that runs to the battery, and right at the post is about
the easiest place. Mine's been like that for years and charges just fine.
The #1 terminal is the "exciter" terminal, it goes to ignition power to
let the alternator know that the key is on charge when ready. It runs
through that diode because once charging it back feeds voltage and can
make the engine run on when you turn the key off. You can also use it to
run an indicator light by running it to one side of the bulb and the
ignition to the other, when you sut the engine down the bulb eats up the
backfeed current.
JohnHuntD@AOL.com wrote:
> Gentlemen,
>
> The previous owner of my '49 Chevy 3600 3/4 ton pickup converted it from 6
> volts to 12 volts, and used a GM Delco alternator with the built-in
> regulator. The conversion works, but the wires he used are a rat's nest of
> old and corroded wires and terminals, so I'm currently replacing all the
> wiring with new wires and terminals. I'm following the wiring circuitry in
> place,.
>
> One thing strikes me as possibly not correct is the way the previous owner
> wired the aternator. At least it doesn't agree with a wiring diagram shown in
> my "How to Wire Your Street Rod" handook.
>
> The alternator has the clip-in connector on top with #1 and #2 terminals and
> wires, and the larger "Bat" threaded terminal at about 8 -o'clock on the back
> of the alternator. The thick wire from the "Bat" terminal goes to the "+"side
> of the ammeter gauge, which I believe is correct. The #1 wire from the
> clip-in terminal on top goes to a multi-pronged GM diode with the "L"-shaped
> arm; that is connected to the ballast resister where it is connected to the
> same terminal (on the ballast resistor) as the hot wire that comes from the
> ignition switch.
>
> The wire from the #2 side of the clip-on connector onthe top of the
> alternator is currently connected to the "Bat" threaded terminal on the back
> of the alternator (the same terminal from which the thicker wire runs to the
> "+"side of the ammeter gauge.
>
> My "How to Wire" booklet for GM products shows the wire from the #2 terminal
> of the alternator should be connected to the larger wire connecting the
> threaded "Bat" terminal on the alternator to the ammeter at some undefined
> point in the circuit closer to the ammeter. I wouldn't think it is correct to
> connect the #2 terminal on the alternator directly to the "Bat" terminal on
> the alternator with a three-inch of so length of wire as it is currently
> hooked up, although the charging system has been working OK with that
> connection. But if the wire from the #2 terminal is spliced into the wire
> from the "Bat" terminal to the ammeter at some point away from the
> alternator, does it make any difference?
>
> I'd very much appreciate advice on thow and where the wire from the #2
> terminal on the clip-on connector on the alternator should be connected.
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
> john doak in Baltimore, MD
>
> Ole Chevy and GMC trucks rule!
>
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>
>
--
John Dorsey
Wauchula FL
http://www.strato.net/~jrdorsey
'49 3800 Chevy Panel
'52 640 GMC Firetruck
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