Convert to 12 volt alternator

Does anyone have a diagram for wiring a 12 volt one wire alternator replacing a positive ground 6 volt system. Going to convert my Oliver 88 to 12 volt negative ground system with a one wire alternator. Thanks for any help.

What diagram is needed?? You switch the 2 wires on the amp gauge switch the grounds as for the battery and hook the single wire from the alternator to the amp gauge non ignition side and your done. That said it costs you 3 times more then going with to good 3 wire set up and the 3 wire works far better to boot

Simple to set up a 3 wire too....

Don't ask about the extra diode. I have converted all 3 of my 6 volt to 12 plus changed out the lucas alt on my TLB to a GM 3 wire.

Rick

old, why do you tell him it cost 3 times more to use a 1 wire alternator ?? Thats absolutly not true, the cost is the same or less to use a 1 wire alternator.
The only difference between a 1 wire and 3 wire alternator is the regulator type, and my cost is exactly the same ($10)for either a 1 or 3 wire regulator.


Matt, attached is a wiring diagram for using a delco alternator conversion.
For your 1 wire alternator, just eliminate the charge light and all wiring to the alternator #1 and #2 terminals.
Delco alternator conversion.

Very easy to do. 1. Get a 1 wire alt , 2. Run a 8 or 10 wire from alt to amp meter. 3. Run wire from other terminal on amp gauge to the B+ side of the starter button. DONE! If the amp gauge works backward reverse wires on gauge. With new alt should be done for less than 100$.

I think the cost x 3 is because Old, like me, buys his alternators from a salvage yard. My friend lets me have them for $15 unless there are others standing around and then it is $20

Better add a resistor to the ign circuit.

Because every one I find does in fact cost more and doe snot work as well Flat out what I have run into every time I deal with one that's why

Nope I get them from O'Reilly's auto parts. Last one wire I got cost me over $85 and at the time I could buy a 3 wire for $35 plus the one wire had a 1 year warranty and the 3 had a life time warranty so the one wire does in fact cost a guy a lot more in the short run and way more in the long run

You best find a new store that does not rip you off like that. Our local auto parts stores are right at the $50 mark for 1 or 3 wire with the same warrenty.
Do it right and that 1 wire alternator will serve you well. #1 do not buy too large a model, no sense putting a 60 or 72 amp 1 wire alternator in an application that originally had a 20 or 30 amp 6 v generator. A 37 amp 1 wire alternator will self excite at 1/2 or less the rpm of a big 60 or 72 amp model. That and Use a small drive pulley on the alternator will get you a 1 wire setup that will self excite at fast idle or less.
They are a especially slick unit for a mag equipped tractor where you have only the mag kill switch. No need to add an exciter switch and wiring when you use a properly set up 1 wire alternator.
Remember, most of those old tractors came stock with a 1 wire generator with the cutout or regulator mounted on the generator and a single wire to the ammeter.

I build my own Delco SI series alternators, I buy them off the "core" pile at the local salvage yard and rebuild them to my needs, large or small output, 1 or 3 wire regulator.

The Delco SI series alternators have to be the most user / rebuilder friendly unit ever made. All you need is a handfull of nut drivers and a self powered test light to test and repair them. No soldering, all parts bolt together. I buy them off the core pile for #5 each and rarely need to put more than another $10-$15 in them to have a fresh purpose built alternator for my latest project. Aftermarket parts for the SI series Delco are very cheap.

Some do not know this, but a 1 wire alternator will work just fine as a 3 wire unit. If you think you need lower excite speed, or have an application that has only a charge light ( IE:New generation JD), just add the excite wiring and you can use it as a 3 wire alternator with no changes.

And last but not least, they do not run down you battery, the parasitic drain is exactly the same as a 3 wire unit, put that old shade tree mechanics tale to rest, and they are every bit as reliable as a 3 wire unit.

Well then why don't you come here and bring with you another parts store. We have 2 in town now the one where you can only buy a part if you know what you need as in the people there know nothing or the good old O'Reilly's that has been in town for ever. So again I stand on what I say and do not care if you can do it different I can not unless I want to drive 25 miles to another town and that at $3.569 a gal for gas is not worth it. So please stop bugging me about this you may be right where you are but your wrong where I am

Now Old, I live on a very rural farm. The closest town with an auto parts store is a 42 mile trip.
I use the Delco SI alternator on about 80% of my equipment, so I keep the basic parts on hand.
A half dozen core alternators
A couple stators of various amperage, a few diode trio, a few rectifiers , a few brush holder assy, a few 1 wire regulators , a few bearings. Maybe $100 worth of parts, ordered online, but enough to get me out of any alternator jam during the busy planting / harvest season. No great need for an auto parts store next door if you plan ahead a little.

My thanks to all who replied. Lots of good ideas and picture type help. Really appreciate all of the guys (and gals) on Yesterday's Tractor. Great source of help.