Dave,
I'm not sure if you were referring to my article on the VTR site, but I
may be able to shed some more light on the regulator/diode pack/wiring
arrangement.
Dan is right about the wire combination as far as the large brown wire
being the main charging line, and the smaller brown/yellow being for the
IND light. The other smaller brown wire is the voltage sensing wire from
the main harness. It basically supplies the monitoring voltage for
external sensing regulators (3 and 4 wire types, if memory serves).
Now, if you have a red wire from the regulator, chances are you have an
external sensing type. (I'm at work now and don't have my original notes
in front of me, so I'm working from memory) Does it have three or four
wires? If it does, you'll need a diode pack that has an electrically
isolated third, or inner, spade connector. That's where the red wire
from the regulator and the small brown wire from the harness should
attach--that's the "S" terminal--you have a voltage sensing regulator.
If there's an additional white wire from the regulator, it should attach
to the center spade connector. That makes the regulator a dual-sensing
(machine and voltage).
Later regulator/diode pack set-ups used a simpler two wire (black and
yellow), machine sensing circuit. The two inner spade terminals are
joined electrically. Here, the third smaller brown wire is probably not
necessary since the regulator monitors voltage at the main charging
terminal--feed back voltage from the harness isn't necessary. I can only
assume the third, inner spade was left on the diode pack so earlier
three connector plugs would still fit snuggly and work with the existing
wiring. And electrically, it made no difference since all brown wires
are part of the same circuit
That orange (or tan, depending how faded it is) should be a jumper from
the center slip ring brush to the IND connector. This is the "balance"
circuit that controls the dash light, and the wire that supplies initial
"excitement" voltage to the windings in the alternator, which allows it
to produce output quicker.
Something else you have to watch out for. When the alternator goes in
for overhaul, the original black plastic cap may or may not be replaced
(broken caps are replaced from the parts pile). Go by the electrical
connection/isolation of the second and third diode pack spades. That
will determine if you need a two or three wire regulator.
Hope all this helps,
Charlie B.
>
> I have been reading the VTR maintenance area on alternators and noticed
> something about the wires connecting to my alternator. I have a three wire
> connector but only two wires in it: a large brown/white and a small
> brown/yellow. This is a new wiring loom and that's the way it came. I do
> have this single brown wire that runs paralled to the above two wires but
> does connect to anything. What is the purpose of this single brown wire?
> It is relevant? I thought it was a carry over from the TR5 and not used in
> the TR6.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave,
> San Diego, Ca
> 1970 TR6 PI
|