GM 12si questions

Hello everybody. Well I just made the mistake of changing out an ancient alternator with a non SI alternator. I'm sure you can guess the results. Dead Battery . I did a little fishin' on the web, read a couple articles, and came to the conclusion that I need a GM 12si one wire and I was thinking 140amps. I decided on the 140amps so I'll have plenty of juice, and be able to run a winch when I'm able to get one. I just had a general question of - Is there anything I need to know? The best price I could find was just under $200 for a chrome Powermaster -140amps. Since the alternator has a voltage regulator in it, does that mean I can bypass the voltage regulator on the jeep? That actually would create another problem that my wires wouldn't be able to reach the alternator. Any thoughts? - Thanks

 

Woops - 63cj5 with a Chevy 350 small block

 

Here's some good background reading:

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

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

I'm cheap, I'd go to your local pick and pull and pull one off a junker, if you want 90 amps or less a 12si is fine. If you want more than that, look for a CS-130:

http://www.alternatorparts.com/cs130_sbpage1.htm

or a CS-144:

http://sethirdgen.org/cs144.htm

Look at the above links then go junkyard hunting!

Here in SoCal, pickyourpart has 50% off days, I can get an alternator for $20.

Get a used alternator (also keep your receipt), then hit up oreillys or autozone and have them test it.

ETA: all these alternators are System Integrated, meaning the regulator is built in, you'll pitch your old voltage regulator, so yes, you can bypass your old regulator.

 

Ok great. Thanks for the articles, that should set me straight.

 

Does it matter if I go with a 6 groove? The alternator I took off was a V.

 

I normally pull off the v groove from my old alternator and replace the 6 groove. You may need a air impact wrench to break it loose.

 

Ok so I went with the C130 105amp, mainly because of availability. I'm looking at this trying to figure the configuration, looks like I have to do a little wiring work. I looked at those diagrams from the links up above, but it's not sinking in. Does anyone have a picture of this hooked up, or a link? Oh and an idea of what I'll have to do to bypass the old voltage regulator on the jeep. I couldn't find a C130 with a V groove, looks like I'll have to go to the garage to have them swap it out.

 

i have a picture of the way i do it on my facebook page posted on my wall its only open to everone for a short while so hurry. look for John Dawn Bailey, in Cowan Tennessee.

 

Sweet I'll check it out

 

Couldn't find you on the facebook. Could I have the url?

 

what's a url?

 

Your address for your facebook page

 

jdbailey2 i think if this doesnt help shoot me an e mail baileyjohn1@live.com

 

ig you get there look in photos under random pictures

 

Thanks Man got an email heading your way