If there is an amp guage, which wire would go to it? I would assume
that it would be the single wire. This is timely since (after two weeks
of trying) I finally got the hood open on my '70 Corvette and I need to
figure out why it isn't charging (died on a road rally due to lack of
juice and at the same time the hood catch screwed up - amazing how they
both happened at the same time - figuring out a way to trip that rear
mounted latch was a b*ch!). The amp meter was showing the car
discharging, the battery holds a charge, so I am assuming a bad
alternator. This car does which does have an amp guage as does my '51
3100 which I am installing a 305 V8 and the same kind of alternator.
Thanks!
Kevin '51 3100 '49 3600 wrecker
J Forbes wrote:
>>Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 18:38:19 -0400
>>From: "Tom C." <c_tom@bellsouth.net>
>>Subject: [oletrucks] el camino alternator wiring...off subject??
>>
>>I hope this isn't off subject, but if anyone knows how to wire this i know
>>some guys on the list do. If it is to far off subject please accept my
>>applogies, and anyone would like to answer please ping me off list....thanks
>>I have access to a 1984 305 Chevy motor. It runs good and is in an El
>>Camino, which i think is the same as a Chevelle. It runs great, but some
>>alterantor wiring may be wrong.
>>I hope this don;t confuse anyone....
>>
>>
>
>I have the same alternator on both of my oletrucks, so it's on topic
>(just pretend you've already installed the engine in an oletruck)
>
>
>
>>On the back of the alternator there is a clip with two wires and another
>>slightly larger wire that is by itself on a post.. The wire that is by
>>itself goes from the alterator to the pos side of the batt.
>>The little connector on the alternator, has two wires coming from it. One of
>>the wires looks like it goes to the Amp gauge and the other wire loops over
>>to the other wire on the alternator post, which don't seem right.
>>Problem is the wire coming from the + side going through the connector which
>>in turns goes to the alternator gets very hot, almost to the point of
>>melting. The amp gauge also drops to about 10 or less amps when the lights
>>are on.
>>
>>With all that being said, does anyone know the correct way this alternator
>>is suppose to be wired??
>>
>>
>
>When you say "amp gage", I'm not sure exactly what you mean. GM quit
>using ammeters a long time ago, so you might be talking about the
>voltmeter in the 84 El Camino. If so, then it sounds like it's not
>charging properly, if the battery voltage is about 10 volts with the
>lights on.
>
>Just a quick electrical refresher: Amps are how we measure current,
>which is how much electricity is flowing through the circuit. Voltage
>is how "stong" the electricity is, and in most automotive circuits it is
>usually about 12 to 14 volts. So, and ammeter will show you how much
>current is flowing into or out of the battery (for example). A volt
>meter will tell you how much voltage is available to do work.
>
>On the 10-SI alternator, which was used on GMs from 1973 till sometime
>in the late 1980s, there is a two wire plug in connector, and one screw
>terimnal. The screw terminal connects to the battery, this is the
>alternator output connection.
>
>One of the two wires on the connector is a voltage reference (the
>alternator is marked "2" and "F" at this connection), so the internal
>voltage regulator will know whether to charge or not. This red wire
>connects to the battery also, and it can be connected to the screw
>terminal for convenience (this is how my trucks are wired).
>
>The other wire on the connector ("1" and "R" marking) is either brown or
>white, and energizes the regulator. This wire connects to the ignition
>circuit (energized only when the ignition key is "on) through a
>resistor, or a resistor wire, and/or the "ALT" idiot light. It should
>NOT be connected to an ammeter!
>
>If the wiring is ok, it is possible that the alternator is bad.
>
>If this doesn't get you straightened out, keep asking questions...
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