Jay,
I submitted a query regarding 1 wire alternators about a month ago. I did
receive some response off line but no real help. So with my limited
electrical backround I proceded cautiously with the installation on my car.
I started by purchasing the CAT bracket. I then modified the CAT bracket by
adding material to prevent it from breaking off at the upper two mounting
bolt holes. I ordered a 60 amp single wire "Ford" alternator from Jegs, and
waited. I received the part after a two week back-order period, and got a
wad of Jegs stickers and a hat for the inconvenience. I removed the old
generator and bracket, and looking at the original schematics for the mark
1A, deceided where to hook the new item up. (The instructions that came
with the alternator were no help). First I diconnected the battery. I
hooked up the single terminal on the alternator to the "always hot" side of
the solenoid, basically right to the battery. I used a 3' length of #8 wire
with the Gucci Insullation. I then disconnected the brown and green wire
that goes from the old Tiger voltage regulator to the field on the old
generator. Once this wire was disconnected, I disconnected the brown and
yellow wires that run from the old reg to the ammeter and the output on the
old generator.
The single wire alternator has a second wire, hence the name 1 wire
alternator. This second wires' purpose is to illuminate the idiot light if
the onboard reg goes bad. I connected the brown and yellow wire from the
old generator to the idiot light wire. Then in the area of the old
regulator I removed the ring terminal and soldered the two brown and yellow
wires together. This completed the path from the idiot light wire on the
new alternator to the idiot light on the dash. As far as the battery side
of the old regulator is concerned, I left it intact. Its merely a terminal
strip now that the other two terminals are empty. The only problem with
this installation is the ammeter now only measures the draw on the
accessory side of the circuit. I will install a voltmeter in its place
eventually.
The cost of the alternator was around $130.00. Its chromed, I mean CHROMED.
The bracket cost me about $80.00 after all the modifications. The damn
thing works great. No fires. No smoke. 13.7-14.2VDC at the battery.
Have fun,
M.Sutter '66 Tiger
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