Another alternator question...Sorry!

I am changing my generator in my 61 to an alternator. I know that I wanted to get an internally regulated 10si delco alternator, but have ended up with an externally regulated alternator from motorcraft.

I am trying to wire it to my voltage regulator(I have it mounted well already, and don't want to exchange it for an internally regulated model for more money that may not fit), and am having trouble. :?

On the back of the alternator, there is a battery, a field, a sta, and ground terminal. Does it wire the same as the generator and I use the field, battery, and ground, and ignore the sta(I think is was sta, but it could be three letters similar), or am I missing something completely. Also, can I use the same voltage regulator from the generator or do I need a new motorola regulator.

I am dissatisfied with this alternator, but would rather just figure out how to wire it and move forward, with a 1 wire internally regulatro swap later.

thanks
Ben

 

You are talking apples and oranges here. First off, You have ford alternator designed for external regulator. You should use an autolite regulator designed for use with that alternator. Yes you can use other regulators with that alternator but you have to have a very good understanding of both requirements. Why make it more difficult? As far as using a regulator for a generator on an altrnator, not recommended. Why do you want to use a motorola reg on Autolite/Motorcraft/Ford alternator? If you must insist, I can help you thru the wiring process, but if you purchase the correct reg for the alt the the wiring is straight forward and a diagram may come with the reg.

 

I had a similar issue. Using information from this website:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/delcoremy.shtml

I went to my local autoparts place, and asked for an alternator for a 1978, Chevy Camaro, 8cylinder 350engine, with air conditioning. This will get you a 3 wire, internally regulated 63 amp alternator. It wasn't that expensive, and the wiring was simple.

A good explanation of the advantages of the 3 wire over the one wire alternator are described here:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml

Since you are dissatisfied with the current alternator, I recommend you do it right the first time. I'm really happy with my setup.

Eric

 

Thanks everyone...

I appreciate that I recieved responses from the most experienced members on this forum.

This is kind of backwards to begin with. I purchased an alternator and thought that it would work with my existing voltage regulator. The question that I posed was how to wire it with that particular alternator. I discovered the wiring diagram that would work(I think) after creating this thread. I went to the FLAPS today, and bought the correct voltage regulator and tomorrow will try to wire. The reason that I did not take the new alternator back, originally, is due to the fact that I had already mounted it and had not needed to purchase any kind of bracket, such as the willyworks bracket, that is somewhat expensive and not immediately available. I had the alternator mounted satisfactorily and was simply looking for advice in how to wire it. It turns out that the new voltage regulator is what I needed. I now know that the bat on the alternator hooks up to the bat and the regulator, the sta hooks up to the s , the field to the f, and and the groung to ground. I will post pics of how the mounting went, as I only had to add one hole to the frame and add some spacers to the adjusting arm to make everything fit(I think)...If anyone knows of any problems using this motorcraft alternator and it's coresponding v reg, I would appreciate the help. I will respond tomorrow if any of the above creates any questions or problems!

Ben

 

You should also have an I for ignition on the regulator if you have the one i'm thinking of?

 

yes it does, I assume this goes to the ignition wire from the old v reg, which it looks like is green...going up to start wiring now. I'll see what it looks like

 

got it wired up, and at first it wouldn't do a thing until I wired the wire from the voltmeter to the wire from the ignition together and then to the voltage regulator...

here is what is wired
alternator batt straight to positive of battery
alternator field to v reg field
alternator sta to s on v reg
v reg i to ignition wire that is joined with a hot battery ampmeter wire before hitting ignition
alternator grnd to ground
v reg "a" to starter solenoid

getting kind of a high voltage reading on battery terminals when charging-13.5 to 15.2, with some fluctuation

at first I missed the ground off of the alternator, and the battery was dying when engine off-I grounded it today, and hope that the battery hasn't died since I went to work.

I hope the alternator isn't damaged some how and drawing when at rest.

 

That "I" wire Should only be hot with key on.