One wire alternator query

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MattH
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One wire alternator query

Post by MattH »

I've had intermittent charging issues for ages now, so have got a one wire alternator to fit.
Does this mean that the blue and green wire from the old alternator are redundant?

Also does that mean the regulator on the bulkhead is also redundant, it seems the two wires going into it are the same colour as the two coming off the alternator?

I then wonder if I will still have an ignition light if the regulator and blue/ green wiring is removed.

Anyone done this and know the outcome?
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Blue
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Post by Blue »

Never fitted a single wire alternator but basically all the exsisting charging wiring and regulator are redundant. Run a new correctly sized cable from the new alternator to the battery and that's it. The ammeter will no longer work which is a good thing and if you have a charge light that won't work either, Mopars are not normally fitted with those anyway.
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MilesnMiles
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Post by MilesnMiles »

Matt, lots of wiring diagrams on the 'net for this. I looked right into it and was put of by various articles telling me that the factory set up is much more efficient.
When it works.
I kept it stock and no issues.
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MattH
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Post by MattH »

Blue, the ammeter has been bypassed already to prevent the bulkhead connector risks and I think you are right about the charge light. Ive just realised that I dont have a charge light, it's the oil pressure light !

Miles, I agree that if it ain't broke dont fix it (which is why I still run the 2 barrel and haven't fitted the 4 barrel carb yet - had it 20 years!) but mine is broke and Matt was selling a one wire alt just at the time mine began to fail so it looked like a good option to try.
As you probably are well aware my car is not very original, I just want it useable.
I'll check for diagrams, it does come with instructions as well, so i need to read a bit before unbolting.
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Blue
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Post by Blue »

The standard Mopar set up is very unreliable and outdated. This is one of the reasons I have been fitting Modern Denso alternators to everything I've had my hands on for years now. They are rock solid reliable and charge at a higher rate than the old Mopar set up. Anyone that's tells you the original set up is superior in any way probably also thinks the flathead is still the best racing engine....
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Steve Chapman
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Post by Steve Chapman »

Blue wrote:The standard Mopar set up is very unreliable and outdated. This is one of the reasons I have been fitting Modern Denso alternators to everything I've had my hands on for years now. They are rock solid reliable and charge at a higher rate than the old Mopar set up. Anyone that's tells you the original set up is superior in any way probably also thinks the flathead is still the best racing engine....
:shock: :lol:
MilesnMiles
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Post by MilesnMiles »

When I went to fit one I had a bunch of 'no dont' on this site. There is a section on the MAD electrical site about the benefits of the Mopar system.
Each to their own.
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Post by MilesnMiles »

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MattH
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Re: One wire alternator query

Post by MattH »

So I finally got the PowerMaster one wire alternator fitted.
Relatively painless bolt in swap, except trying to do it in -6 temperatures, so I left it a week, after getting the old one off and fitted the new one today.
Needed a bit of spacer messing (washers!) to make it fit, but wiring was easy as I had already modified to bypass the bulkhead connector and go straight to the battery post.
No fan clearance issues and first start up a healthy 14.4 volts at the alternator and virtually the same at the battery.
Hopefully the days of carrying the jump start back may be over.

All I am not sure about is if my red main wire is big enough, the instructions suggest an 8AWG wire, but I'm not sure how this measures and if this is big enough.

Anyone know how to measure wire sizes?
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Blue
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Re: One wire alternator query

Post by Blue »

8 gauge wire converts to 8.36mm2. At a quick glance 10mm2 was the nearest I could find which is rated at 70amps, vehicle wiring products stock it if you can't find it locally. Get some heavy duty terminals for it, "yellow" ones are a bit flimsy for that kind of load.
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MattH
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Re: One wire alternator query

Post by MattH »

Thanks Blue, I did solder the connectors, but agree that some bigger ones may be better.
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