More Alternator Questions

My '73' CJ5 alternator idiot light flickers at idle, and since nothing else has been upgraded on the jeep, I'm assuming that the alternator is 30+ years old. I have looked at some different ideas for replacing the alternator by searching this forum, and since I don't really want to fabricate new brackets and such I am leaning toward the one wire Powermaster 140/80 that should be a drop in replacement for my jeep.
My present alternator is a three wire set up, and my question is if I go to a one wire set up, how would I hook my amp or voltage meter, and what is better, an amp or voltage meter?

 

I prefer both an ammeter and a voltmeter, however with a high output alternator it will be much simpler and cheaper to use just a voltmeter. The voltmeter would be hooked up in parallel to the alternator output (Through the ignition switch or relay). You can find a suitable voltmeter just about anywhere.

Ammeters are much more complicated when you're talking about an alternator with more than 60 amps output. You will have to find an ammeter that will indicate at least as many amps as your alternator will put out. So if you're alternator is rated for 100 amps, then you're going to need an ammeter rated for at least 100 amps. These ammeters usually require a shunt and are expensive. The shunt is a sensor of sorts that connects in series with the heavy gauge charging cable between the alternator and the battery. You then have light gauge wires that connect from the shunt to your gauge in the dash.

I've got both an ammeter (100 amp) & voltmeter in my Jeep, but the wiring is obviously more complicated.

 

I have a one wire altenator I would like to hook up also,I need help how to.

 

From what I can tell all you do is hook the wire coming from the alternator to the positive post on the battery or the positive on the starter.

 

That was simple enough, thanks.