Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

HELP Alternator

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
masterdiversteve

06-14-2006 16:47:55




Report to Moderator

Can anyone please tell me how to wire a one wire alternator? I think my alternator may be overcharging my battery, how can you test this?




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
jones in texas

06-15-2006 13:01:53




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to masterdiversteve, 06-14-2006 16:47:55  
The external box on your alternator is an early converion one wire regulator. it may have an adjusting screw somewhere on box. Memory fails me. Your best bet is to take it to an experinced rebuilder for testing.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Revredneck

06-15-2006 05:21:05




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to masterdiversteve, 06-14-2006 16:47:55  
Masterdiversteve,
Perhaps your best bet is to talk to someone at an electrical shop that repairs alternators and starters. If it's a small shop and the guy's a decent fellow, he ought to answer your questions, and maybe sell you the correct regulator so you can fix it yourself. All the information here is good, but sometimes you need to talk face to face with someone. Good Luck and God Bless, Tommy

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
john in la

06-15-2006 01:49:34




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to masterdiversteve, 06-14-2006 16:47:55  
If you have a 10SI alternator and want to try and replace the regulator yourself read this

If you want to buy a new 3 wire alternator and need to know what vechical it came off of so you can get the right part read this



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
TimS

06-14-2006 20:39:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to masterdiversteve, 06-14-2006 16:47:55  
Masterdiversteve, I read your other post, you said this started happening after you replaced the alternator belt. Go back and make very sure you didn't accidently knock a wire off or jiggle a wire that has a bad connection.

If the sense wire isn't connected the alternator will over charge.....if this worked prior to that belt change, that points to a wire coming loose while you were changing the belt....

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Glen in TX

06-14-2006 20:14:54




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to masterdiversteve, 06-14-2006 16:47:55  
Lots of alternator wiring pros & cons to read on tech info at:



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bob

06-14-2006 16:59:25




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to masterdiversteve, 06-14-2006 16:47:55  
The (undesirable, IMHO) one-wire alternator is connected just as the name implies... One 10-gauge or larger wire from the alternator's large output stud goes to the battery.

If it is an ELEGANT One-wire system, the charging current passes through an ammeter on it's way to the battery, or the system is equipped with a voltmeter.

With the engine running somewhat above idle, check the voltage across the battery terminals.

Minimum will be about 13.5 Volts, if the alternator is charging at all, a reading much above 14.5 to 14.75 Volts indicates overcharging.

When you get tired of messing around with the goofy one-wire unit, get a STANDARD, off-the-shelf Delco 10SI, and connect it as shown here:

Third Party Image

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
buickanddeere

06-14-2006 18:18:52




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to Bob, 06-14-2006 16:59:25  
The only step better than that is to move that terminal which feeds the internal voltage regulator. From the alternator's output terminal and run it back to the battery. This compensates for voltage drop on the +'ve cable. Particularly valuable in boats or motor homes with batteries located some distance the alternator.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
masterdiversteve

06-14-2006 18:54:43




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to buickanddeere, 06-14-2006 18:18:52  
I re-installed the alternator and ran the tractor and tested the volts at the battery while it was running and it read in the 16 volt range.(overcharging, just as I suspected) Now what is the best way to fix my alternator because obviously the voltage regulator has broken or something. can I buy a regulator at the parts store and do it myself? It has a little metal box on the outside of the alternator that has wires going to it. Is this the voltage regulator or is this something that they use to convert it to a 1-wire alternator? If yall can't tell me how to fix this one (I just had it rebuilt about 2 years ago $100.00 bill) what is a vehicle that the Delco 10SI fits on. Those dummy's at autozone dont know any thing but to ask "Sir what kind of vehichle is this on" I tell them they can look up a 1956 Case 300 if they want to but it will do you no good you idiot !!" This was converted from a 6-volt generator. Then they say "HUH". They have no mechanic knowledge whatsoever! So what is a vehicle I can tell them to look up for a Delco 10SI if I cant fix my one wire alternator?

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Hoosier JD

06-15-2006 14:17:37




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to masterdiversteve, 06-14-2006 18:54:43  
1979 Camaro 35 bucks at Advance Auto, lifetime guarantee.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
supergrumpy

06-15-2006 08:29:23




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to masterdiversteve, 06-14-2006 18:54:43  
my 1 wire alternator has small tin box on the output, current regulator

if the diodes short and start draining the battery dead to ground, it stops the flow and saves your wiring harness



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jon Hagen

06-14-2006 20:07:16




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to masterdiversteve, 06-14-2006 18:54:43  
The Delco 10SI can be found on almost every GM vehicle built from 74 to around 85. Should be able to buy one rebuilt in the $50 range. Most auto parts shops stock them with a one wire regulator installed,or you can buy the standard 3 wire version and wire it as shown in Bob's post. My opinion is that the converted one wire 10SI works as well as the 3 wire version as long as you buy the small 37 amp version which excites at quite low rpm.The "1 wire" converted 10SI will not drain your battery any more than the standard 3 wire version because the electrical part(the rectifier unit) that is 12V"hot" when the machine is parked is identical to the standard 3 wire version.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Jon Hagen

06-14-2006 20:13:09




Report to Moderator
 Re: HELP Alternator in reply to Jon Hagen, 06-14-2006 20:07:16  
It would help if you could post a picture of you alternator with the mystery box attached to the outside. Without that it's impossible to know what you have. Check that the little box has a good clean ground to the alternator case,and check that you have not disconnected a sense wire. either condition will cause the alternator to charge flat out with no regulation.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy