S88D Alternator

You can use an "idiot light" with a # 194 lamp in place of the diode, but the diode is CHEAP, and should be easy to find at an industrial electronics supplier, and only requires a covering of heat shrink tubing.

Either connect the lead from the diode to the switched side of the key switch (if used), or get an oil pressure switch that turns on at about 4 PSI, and use that to switch the power to the diode lead "on" or "off", so the alternator "switched excite" lead is powered only while the engine is running (and has oil pressure).

Setting your new charging system up this way is CHEAP, and BETTER than using a "one-wire" aftermarket alternator.

I'm wondering why you don't like the one-wire alternator. Our 88 gas has had one on it since 1969 and it's worked great. I bought a one-wire alternator and installed it on our 1969 Fairmont A6 railroad gang car about 10 years ago and we've had no problems with it either. We buy them at NAPA.

One-wires tend to have to have the engine speed "revved up" a bit before they will BEGIN to charge.

One-wires tend to drain the battery more during times of non-use than a standard OEM-type "3-wire" alternator.

All it takes to hook up an "off-the-shelf" 3- wire alternator is the simple, cheap diode, and you can get good used 3-wire alternators for as low as $5.00 to $10.00 at automotive recylcing yards.

So, what do you feel is the big advantage of the "one-wire" units, when connecting up a 3-wire unit is SO simple and low cost?

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