S10 Alternator

thehobbyshop

New User
Hi,

I have a 3 wire alternator hooked up and I put a diode in on the excite wire. Can I still use an indicator light, or does that make an indicator light useless.

Thanks,
Todd
 
You can put the indicator light in series or in parallel with the diode.

Either way will work.

Or, simply omit the diode, if a light is desired.
 
Gotta make a retraction/correction on that... HAS to be in series with the diode. In parallel light would "see" only about 0.6 Volts.
 
One advantage of a small incandescent (do NOT use an LED) lamp in the alternators initial excitation circuit is that it (provided the correct resistance) serves dual purposes. It prevents engine run on from backfeeding the coil like a diode would PLUS it serves as an idiot charge indicator to some extent.

Some use a diode alone,,,,,,,,,,some use a resistor alone,,,,,,,,,,,some use an idiot light,,,,,,,some use a resistor plus a light so it still works even if the light burns out

John T
 
You beat me to it Bob lol I was thinkin a diode is almost a short circuit but a 0.6 voltage drop across it, not sure the light will glow?????

Take care Bob

John T
 
JohnT, I had a brain phart and was thinking of factory applications that use a RESISTOR and a lamp in parallel.
 
Bob I often have those myself lol orrrrrrrr my fingers get ahead of my old brain grrrrrrrr

John T
 

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