800 ford 12volt conversion what altenator to use.

jmducks1

Member
800 ford what is the cheapest and easiest alternator to buy and what model vehicle and year from? Would i use a gm one wire or the older one from 1965 chevys? or is there a better one?
 
Most use GM, like a 10si, they're cheap and available everywhere.
One wire or the three wire, either will work.
I like the 3 wire ones with the exciter wire.
It doesn't have to spin as fast to get started charging.
I don't have to tell the guys at my parts store what vehicle,
but late 70's early 80's Chevy pickup would probably work.
 
You want an alternator for a 1980 Chev pick up truck. No power any thing No ac. If there is an O'Reilly's close by you can buy them for around $45 plus a $10 core and that is with a life time warranty. You will also need to 2 wire plug which is another $4 or so and a pack of Radio Shack diodes part #276-1661 silver line to the alternator side in the #1 wire on the plug
 
Just to let you know has to be later then the 1974 I think 75 was the first year but could be the 74 that had the internal regulator. I always say 1980 since I am 100% sure on that since I also drive a 1980 Chev no power any thing no AC
 
How do you wire a 1980 alt.? Some say to get a 2 wire plug
than take one of those wires and go back to the battery
terminal on the alt? Something like that? Or is that for the
1968 alt or so?
 
That's the 3 wire alternator.
#2 pin wires to the battery terminal on the alternator.
#1 pin has the diode in it that Old mentioned coming from the ignition switch.
The diode keeps the alternator from feeding the ignition when you shut it off.
Without it, the tractor may keep running when you turn the key off.
 
First off any alternator in the 60s and early 70s used an external V.R which you do not want. The ones on like I said a 1980 Chev pick up had the internal V.R which you do want. The 2 wire plug has markings of #1 and #2. The #2 goes to the bog stud on the alternator and what it is is the sensing wire for the VR which tells the alternator VR when to shut off. The #1 wire is how a person turns the excite circuit on. But you need the diode I told you about or the alternator can/will back feed the ignition so you can not shut the engine off
 
autozone 29$ if you have a core. or 10-15 more without.

forget the 4$ 2 wire plug.. spade terminals on wire work fine.

194 bulb or 1-3a diode is fine.
 
Would this be easier with a one wire if I can get one for 36.oo? Can I use any of the wires that went to generator?
 
Reason I say use the plug is that in the past I have had problems with the spade terminals getting bent and that in turn shorts out the alternator and lets the smoke out
 
Problem with most 1 wire alternator is that it takes high RPM to make them start to charge and some love to cause a battery to drain if it sits for a long time
 
you don't use the insulated female spade plugs? I do.. that's what they are for.. for sliding over male spades and then insulating them.

most GOOD wire terminal kits come witht he basic female spadesma nd the insulated female spades. I love em..
 
Of course I also like the factory type plug since it ha the wires on them and that makes it easy to hook up as needed but the each there own
 
i'm just not into buying a few dollar plug when i can make it for 10 cents of parts. I'm frugal. :) more money I save on useless 4$ parts.. the more tractors I can save up and buy. :)
 
Ya most of the ones I do are for custamors (sp) or ones I plan to sell so I do it in such a way to look correct and easy to figure out
 
look correct?

failed on that by hanging an alt on.. should be a generator. :)

easy to figure out?

2 wires? really?
 
Ya easy most people I do the 12 volt conversions are those that see 2 wires remove them and then get them back wards and that is on a good day. When you have the show them what an oil bath air cleaner is and how to change the oil you know you have to do it so it is as we us to call it sailor proof
 
Ya know what you mean there. I still say a person to be able to have a drivers license should have to show the tester how to check the oil the radiator the brake fluid and also be able to change a tire in a safe manner. Ya the tire could maybe be lot go if they had triple A or some such thing but even then maybe not
 
working on 800 model. Well i bought the gm 3 wire. Mine has a 3 post starter solenoid. Is that good and do i have to switch the wires around on it or leave it? What is the reason for a fuse block terminal? Can i use the amp gauge? do i keep the regulator on and hooked up? How many wires do i have to add and where too? or do you have a diagram for me. Email please.
 
Your 3 post starter solenoid will work fine.

A terminal block is just a place to hook wires together. The amp gauge or a bolt and nut wraped with tape will do.

Your old regulator and its wires go. Your alternator has a regulator built into it.

For a 800 with the 3 wire alternator you will need a one way diode from radio shack for the wiring.

You will also need a 12v to 6v resistor for the wire that goes to your old 6v coil. Most just replace the coil with a 12v version Napa part #IC14SB for less than $20 and then you do not need the resistor.

Here is a wiring diagram for you. Feel free to print it out and use it to help you with your tractor.

wire_600_800_12v_mkd111.jpg
 
Found this alternator harness a while back at Speedway Motors when I converted my 56 IH truck to 12 volts. Used the same thing on my 54 NAA just yesterday, makes a nice clean install. Was an easy install but a little pricey.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Alternator-Wiring-Harness,2373.html

One thing I haven't seen mentioned or I just missed it in the conversation is the pulley on the alternator for the 5/8" fan belt. My 10si alternator came with a 1/2" pulley.


http://www.ytmag.com/AFD5035_22526.htm
 
Another question about my 800. It has a 3 post solenoid do i keep the small terminal wire off or do i hook it up to starter push button? Which diagram should i use the one on your likes 2nd one or the one on yesterdays tractors?
 
Another 800 ford question. I have a 3 post solenoid, do i take the small terminal wire off or connect it to the starter button? Which way should i wire it your way thats on you likes or your first one on yesterdays tractors?
 
(quoted from post at 23:47:53 01/17/13) Another 800 ford question. I have a 3 post solenoid, do i take the small terminal wire off or connect it to the starter button? Which way should i wire it your way thats on you likes or your first one on yesterdays tractors?
ithout the 3rd terminal of a 3 terminal solenoid connected, it will not do anything more than a walnut! What kind of question is that?! You are being confused by various post that are for other tractors. Some posters are less than helpful.
On an 800, the small solenoid terminal goes to the neutral safety start switch.
 

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