I just got one and this is the first time I have ever used one, you would think it would be basic, put it in run the wire start it up rev the engine and boom your set, well I have (or atl;east think I have a 1 wire alternator) my q is

can you physically tell the difference between a reg alt and a 1 wire alt?

this thing still has the provision for the plug on the side like a regular alt does,
Ive been fighting this prob way too long so Im giving up and taking it to a shop tomorrow hopefully Im overlooking something stupid but for as many times Ive been through the wiring and with the GM service manual I doubt it.

thanks
Jack

 

or if anyone knows what would happen if I plugged in the factory plug to this supposedly one wire alternator?

 

I doubt the usefulness of this to you but.. guess it can't hurt either huh ?..

http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/10si.htm

 

the only thing differnt between the two is this: they internally connect the two wires (I forgot which one) internally. and they sell them for more.

 

Not true. A one wire alternator uses a different voltage regulator hybrid IC. Since a one wire has no sense line it must cycle OFF at low rpm and let the vehicles battery supply current to run the auto. On a typical TG the alt sense line goes to the circuit that controls the blower or fans to sense voltage drop hence calling for increased output from the alternator. If you tie the IGN and SENSE lines together with the BATT lead the alternator will generate very little output if any. The sense line looks for a 1-3 volt drop and controls the output accordingly(e.g., heavy load fans and AC drops voltage-sense reacts when it sees drop and throttles up alt). In a one wire as the rpm's drop it's output drops in a more linear fashion. This is to prevent overcharging the battery. A three wire can smack the battery with very high charging current very quickly, a one wire is a more gentle charge. In reality a one wire may very well make the battery last longer.

 

i've just installed apowermaster 1 wire. the instructions say you can hook it up either way. what problem are you having? my new one is a100 amp and it seems like the belt has to be tighter than the other one. it wouldn't charge when i started it and i frieked. tightened the belt and it works great.

 

Craig, they won't put out much if anything at low rpm and when they do charge it is a slower type charge than you are used to seeing if you rely on the guage. They are referred to as self-exciting because they rely on their own residual magnetism to start the field excitation process.