12 volt Generator to Alternator Wiring Guidance Request

NineSixtyOne · Mar 2, 2018

Gentlemen,

Disclaimer! I am not an electrician.

I have a 1959 Ford 961 Diesel tractor. It is a 12 volt electrical system. I want to correctly wire an alternator to the system.
I have a NAPA 213-4011SW 12V, 63Amp Negative ground alternator. This alternator has an internal voltage regulator.

FYI: I replaced the wiring harness in 2010. I bought the harness from YT. It has been installed just like the "Electrical System Wiring Diagram 12-Volt" on page 59 of the 55 to 60 Ford Tractor Shop Manual.

Since then the, what looks like, original voltage regulator and generator has gone bad.

So this is an upgrade for this machine and I request your help wiring the alternator correctly.

Thank you for your help.

JMOR · Mar 2, 2018

Is that a one-wire or 3-wire alternator?

JMOR · Mar 2, 2018

This uses virtually all of your existing harness & generator warning light will work as always. This requires only moving one wire at Reg & one splice near Reg, plus short jumper at alternator, BATT to alt Sense (#2). If you don't like leaving old Reg in place, then splice the 3 wires that I show on Reg's BATT terminal together. Make it a good splice as it can be high current.

JDEM · Mar 2, 2018

NAPA gives poor info but shows it with a rubber plug in the wire-harness port. If your's has that rubber plug - that means it has a self-
exciting regulator and you only hook up the one big battery wire to the output post. Nothing else.

NineSixtyOne · Mar 2, 2018

Hi JMOR, I believe it is a One wire. A place for a ground. A place for a wire.

You diagram is excellent! Thank You! I work better with pictures anyway. Later this evening I will study it and try to connect it.

Will post back ASAP.

NineSixtyOne · Mar 2, 2018

Yes, I believe that is correct. Paperwork says self-exciting and there is a rubber plug.

Thank you JDEM.

Will post back ASAP.

JMOR · Mar 2, 2018

If 1-wire, simply perform the first two steps (red underline), skip the jumper and disconnect all other wires at both ends. Connect ground if you like. With 1-wire you will have no warning light. On some 1-wire units you can connect warning light as I have shown & have it functional.

NineSixtyOne · Mar 3, 2018

Hi JMOR,

I mounted the alternator. Hooked it up as per the instructions you provided. Again, Thank You! It charges! Battery voltage reading sitting static is 13.22. Battery voltage reading with engine running, alternator turning, is 14.57ish. Which is the same voltage reading when it is on the battery charger. Lights work. Manifold Heaters work. Fuel gage works and I am going to come back to that. But, very happy with those results. Thank you again.

Here is where I do not have a warm fuzzy. I am sure you can help. I noticed when I hooked up the battery that I had power to my fuel gage with the key off. That is not normal. Also, I do not care if the low voltage light works or not but I did notice it came on when I turned off the key. What am I missing? Did I overlook something?

NineSixtyOne

JMOR · Mar 4, 2018

I am guessing that you connected the #1 and #2 on your one wire alt. I said that can work on some one wire and not on others. Looks like you have the latter. So, just un plug the # 1, 2 connection and warning light should go out and gauge return to norm.

12 volt Generator to Alternator Wiring Guidance Request

NineSixtyOne

Member

JMOR

Well-known Member

JMOR

Well-known Member

JDEM

Well-known Member

NineSixtyOne

Member

NineSixtyOne

Member

JMOR

Well-known Member

NineSixtyOne

Member

JMOR

Well-known Member

Similar threads