One wire and 3/2 wire 10SI

stevieb49829 · Oct 27, 2023

I picked up a virtually new 10SI at a salvage yard, wired as a one wire, with a rubber plug in the spade terminal spot. The spades are still there. Can I run this as a 3 wire also (if I pull out the plug) and wire to the 1 and 2 terminals? I know how to do that correctly. Just need to know if this alternator will work both ways. steve

J Hamilton · Oct 27, 2023

Yes it will, I prefer the 3 wire setup myself

stevieb49829 · Oct 27, 2023

Thanks, J. I don't know why but I prefer the 3 wire myself. Maybe because I've worked on GM cars for a really long time, and now have it down with using the diode in the harness on a couple of tractors. steve

J Hamilton · Oct 27, 2023

You're welcome. That's the same way I do mine as well, except I use 6 volt alternators.

old · Oct 27, 2023

Hard to say for sure. Depends on how it was set up as a 1 wire. I've seen some that will work as a 3 wire and others that will not

Pete in MD · Oct 27, 2023

Nice to see you back Rich from double-secret probation.

wore out · Oct 27, 2023

(quoted from post at 18:13:03 10/27/23) I picked up a virtually new 10SI at a salvage yard, wired as a one wire, with a rubber plug in the spade terminal spot. The spades are still there. Can I run this as a 3 wire also (if I pull out the plug) and wire to the 1 and 2 terminals? I know how to do that correctly. Just need to know if this alternator will work both ways. steve

GM never made a ''10SI'' with a rubber plug over the VR terminals.

Anything you find like that is an aftermarket bastardization of the GM design.

And they are not all the same, some will work as you are suggesting, some have the #1 and #2 terminals internally connected together and DEFINITELY won't work as you are thinking.

Back up and get an alternator for a mid 1970's Chevy pickup with AC. NOT real expensive and will work as a ''three wire alternator''.

old · Oct 27, 2023

stevieb49829 · Oct 27, 2023

I may open it up and take a look. But I can use it as a one wire if need be. steve

Hemmjo · Oct 28, 2023

I had one similar to that i got at a salvage yard. Had it hooked up as 1 wire, but had to rev that engine to near full speed for just a second to get it to start charging.

Then I hooked the excite terminal to the headlight switch to get to started. I would just flip that switch on and off to get the alternator going.

That switch got bumped to the on position a a couple times. I don't have headlights, so I was unaware it was on. After the battery got run all the way down for the second time, I needed another solution. I learned about the diode trick on this forum. Now all is good.

I now have 99 diodes left from the pack of 100 I got online for 5 bucks. If anyone needs one let me know.

John T · Oct 28, 2023

There are so many out there hard to say from here. Ive seen some that have that rubber cover over 1 and 2 which is nothing but a resistor. If its working you could choose to just let it alone ??

John T

Keith Molden · Oct 28, 2023

I've missed seeing you on here Rich. Stay and don't let the naysayers run you off. You have a wealth of good info and I for one appreciate you

Indiana Ken · Oct 28, 2023

(quoted from post at 19:09:09 10/27/23) You're welcome. That's the same way I do mine as well, except I use 6 volt alternators.

6 volt alternators; are good news to me. Could you enlighten me. Thanks, Ken.

chcase · Oct 28, 2023

If you have the time I would open it up to ckeck it out.I prefer the one wire alt as the guy who builds mine has them set to start charging at a lower rpm.

caterpillar guy · Oct 28, 2023

Since most of ours are diesels I just use the key switch to excite and then they get shut off when engine is killed. On our MD we just used a switch for the alternator since it has a mag on it.

JMOR · Oct 28, 2023

(quoted from post at 09:40:55 10/28/23) If you have the time I would open it up to ckeck it out.I prefer the one wire alt as the guy who builds mine has them set to start charging at a lower rpm.

ou can't "set".....there is no adjustment. This is insides of regulator....nothing to adjust/set.

TerryfromSWIowa · Oct 28, 2023

Welcome back Old don,t the flamers get to you if we all would ignore them they will flame out on their own.

wore out · Oct 28, 2023

''6 volt alternators; are good news to me. Could you enlighten me.''
Here's some sources for 6 Volt (+) or (-) ground alternators or kits to convert a common 12 Volt Delco to 6 Volts.

ebay
Brillman
https://alternatorparts.com/

And many others.

stevieb49829 · Oct 28, 2023

Can I assume that when someone says 'set' they mean putting a different regulator in one? I know there are kits, like Wore Out says to convert them to other than the 3 wire mode. Can I assume that if the spade connectors are there, the regulator can be used both ways - 1 and 3 wire? And another question: Is the amp output set by the whole thing (stator and regulator) or can you up the output by just changing out the regulator? steve

JMOR · Oct 28, 2023

"Can I assume that if the spade connectors are there, the regulator can be used both ways - 1 and 3 wire?" That is a no, however, some folks seem to think that some 1-wire regulators can be used either way. This Transpo 1-wire reg clearly says no, since the excite & sense are tied together and to the battery stud.

One wire and 3/2 wire 10SI

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