One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1972RedNeck · 01-31-2015, 06:17 PM

On my truck I have electric fans, some added lights, and extra electric water pump, and etc. A generic 60 amp one-wire alternator just won't cut it. So I bought a 120 amp alternator from DB electrical. All was well until it died three months later. Customer service was good and I had a new one here quick. Six months later it is dead. They will send me a new one but I don't want to just keep cooking them. I would build some mounts for a bigger Nippondenso or a Leece-Neville but I have no room for a physical bigger alternator.

Is there a factory alternator that would happen to bolt in place of the one-wire Chevy that is at least 100 amps?

Thanks in advance.

87Skier · 01-31-2015, 07:43 PM

A good alternative is to swap all the accessories. I have accessories from a 97 Suburban with 105A alternator. Your best bet is to take some measurements and hit the junkyard.

Also, if they are burning up, you might have other issues. I've heard that if the wire for the light is disconnected the alternator may burn up. It would also be good to make sure air is flowing through the alternator.

Norcal72 · 01-31-2015, 08:10 PM

I use a 140amp tuff stuff part number 7140FBULL. I use a 4 guage wire to 150 breaker then directly to battery. 2 electric fans, headlights on, heater cranked, 14v. Year of daily driving, so fresh, but seems to be solid.

If you ask a 12 guage wire to carry over 100amps, it will overheat. If you use any alt over 70 amps, I would upgrade the stock wiring.

1972RedNeck · 01-31-2015, 09:19 PM

After the first one puked, I upgrade the wiring, added a 150 amp circuit breaker, etc.

gferris5 · 02-01-2015, 12:14 AM

Here's a great website: http://www.madelectrical.com Seriously, fantastic resource.

RManson · 02-01-2015, 01:59 AM

Try these guys...

http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/

alsriv2 · 02-01-2015, 02:05 AM

Great info here. I have a new 120amp single wire alternator installed, but the old external regular style wiring harness. I need to make the wire harness upgrade before I fire up my new 396. Took a long time to figure out mount bracket system with help from board members here. Alternator installed, now time to work wire harness.

franken · 02-01-2015, 02:24 AM

Single wire alts are often complained about after swaps. Might want to read up.

Mike C · 02-01-2015, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gferris5

Here's a great website: http://www.madelectrical.com Seriously, fantastic resource.

Agreed. Go here and read as to why a 60 amp 3 wire alternator can outperform a 100 amp 1 wire alternator if it is wired correctly.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...evymain1.shtml

Andy4639 · 02-01-2015, 11:16 AM

One wire alternator where for race car app's. They over flowed to the street but are not very good at charging with all the stuff used on a street cars. Do yourself a favor and go back to a regular 3 wire and have plenty of power and less stress in your life!
Mad electric and member VetteVet will get you where you need to be.

**DeadheadNM** · 02-01-2015, 12:12 PM

FWIW - I've used the plug-and-play harness adapter for the internally regulated alternator without problems: http://www.classicheartbeat.com/Elec...%20harness.htm

72BlazerFC · 02-01-2015, 07:55 PM

Quick question, why would my alternator squeeling then when I unplug the connector it stop

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1972RedNeck · 02-01-2015, 08:06 PM

Brushes are shot.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Why would a three-wire charge better? A one wire has all the exact same parts as a three wire - they just self excite.

PanelDeland · 02-01-2015, 08:15 PM

1972RedNeck, if you've ever been with someone, you know that it's better than self exciting. Same is true of an alternator. I don't know the science but suffice it to say that the current for excitement has to come from somewhere. If it's coming from the alt. then part of it's output is going somewhere besides the system.

Mike C · 02-01-2015, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck

Why would a three-wire charge better? A one wire has all the exact same parts as a three wire - they just self excite.

Go read the MAD article I linked earlier. I talks about charging wires, voltage sensing and from where, and why it works better that way.

72BlazerFC · 02-01-2015, 10:19 PM

Had alternator tested and it tested good

72BlazerFC · 02-01-2015, 11:12 PM

Also with the connector plugged in and by unplugging the voltage regulator the squeeling stops

1972RedNeck · 02-02-2015, 09:48 AM

The brushes are going bad. Yes it charges, but the brushes are shot - at least that's my guess.

I read the article over on mads and it makes sense. I also read mention of a CS alternator. Turns out they made a CS130 with a 105 amp output and a CS144 with a 120 amp output. Apparently some even have the same mounts.

Anybody know what applications the CS144 came on?

MARKDTN · 02-02-2015, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck

The brushes are going bad. Yes it charges, but the brushes are shot - at least that's my guess.

I read the article over on mads and it makes sense. I also read mention of a CS alternator. Turns out they made a CS130 with a 105 amp output and a CS144 with a 120 amp output. Apparently some even have the same mounts.

Anybody know what applications the CS144 came on?

Best application for CS144 is a '96 Roadmaster or Caprice. I put one on my '83 K20 and all I had to do for mounts was make a new top brace. a CS130 is smaller, but reliability is not that great. I know they have improved, but CS144 never had issues. You can do a search and find lots of info on CS144 swap.

RichardJ · 02-02-2015, 07:48 PM

72BlazerFC , you should have started a new thread, because your problem is totally unrelated to this thread.
I've only seen two reasons for an alternator to squeal. Bad bearings or a loose belt. You could have bad bearings and an overly tightened, but it probably wouldn't make a difference if you pulled the plug OFF.

There are three things I would caution you against.

1st, don't pull the connector off the alternator with the engine running.

2nd, don't pull the connector off the alternator with the engine running.

3rd, don't pull the connector off the alternator with the engine running.

RichardJ · 02-02-2015, 08:17 PM

There was some good advice offered about where to find out how alternators work and how they should be wired. Advice that is as usual, completely ignored or if not ignored, then the reader failed to understand and didn't ask for help understanding what they had read.

You have heard of electricity being refer to as a garden hose with respect to voltage and current. Voltage being the pressure and current being the amount of water flowing through the hose.

Let's say you are the alternator and a bucket is the battery. The bucket is 30 feet away and you're filling it with the charging wire (hose). The sensing wire connected to post #2 is the visual line of sight from the bucket, to your brain, the voltage regulator. When you see the bucket is full, your brain decides to turn the water valve off.

Now move the bucket around a corner of a building so that you can't see it. This is the same as connecting post #2 directly to the B+ on the alternator. You turn the water on until you get your feet wet, then you turn the water off. A true one-wire regulator works the same way.

1972RedNeck · 02-11-2015, 10:05 AM

So I bought a CS144 and installed it. All I can say is wow. At idle, it's pumping out a little over 100 amps. It's never charged so good.

RManson · 02-11-2015, 12:22 PM

Glad you got your alternator sorted out.

Not so sure about the one-wire backlash. Here's "proof of performance" from my one-wire that's on my LS. Two electric fans, electric fuel pump, EFI, Drive-by wire throttle, A/C, power windows, stereo... all the usual modern electrical junk one could imagine and it keeps up fine. Granted, it's wired directly to the battery with a 6-gauge wire and I think that's where the retrofit one-wire setups could be having problems. Anyways, more fuel for the fire...

[IMG]

[/IMG]

01-31-2015, 08:10 PM	#3
Norcal72 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: CA Posts: 27	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative I use a 140amp tuff stuff part number 7140FBULL. I use a 4 guage wire to 150 breaker then directly to battery. 2 electric fans, headlights on, heater cranked, 14v. Year of daily driving, so fresh, but seems to be solid. If you ask a 12 guage wire to carry over 100amps, it will overheat. If you use any alt over 70 amps, I would upgrade the stock wiring.

02-01-2015, 12:14 AM	#5
gferris5 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The land of fruits and nuts Posts: 193	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative Here's a great website: http://www.madelectrical.com Seriously, fantastic resource. __________________ Have mercy, I'm recovering from my 4x4 addiction.

02-01-2015, 01:59 AM	#6
RManson Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: United States Posts: 158	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative Try these guys... http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/

02-01-2015, 02:05 AM	#7
alsriv2 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Formerly MD and San Diego, now loving life in Arizona Posts: 1,636	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative Great info here. I have a new 120amp single wire alternator installed, but the old external regular style wiring harness. I need to make the wire harness upgrade before I fire up my new 396. Took a long time to figure out mount bracket system with help from board members here. Alternator installed, now time to work wire harness. __________________ Alan 2012 Ram 3500 Dually Crew Cab 6.7 Cummins 2014 Palomino Columbus 340RK 5th wheel '69 Chevy C10 396BB

02-01-2015, 02:24 AM	#8
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,067	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative Single wire alts are often complained about after swaps. Might want to read up.

01-31-2015, 07:43 PM	#2
87Skier Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 711	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative A good alternative is to swap all the accessories. I have accessories from a 97 Suburban with 105A alternator. Your best bet is to take some measurements and hit the junkyard. Also, if they are burning up, you might have other issues. I've heard that if the wire for the light is disconnected the alternator may burn up. It would also be good to make sure air is flowing through the alternator. __________________ 1972 GMC Jimmy Custom 4.8L (L20)/6L90E/NP205 1989 Chevy Suburban V2500 350/Turbo 400/4.11 gears 1996 Chevy Suburban K1500 350/4L60E

02-01-2015, 11:16 AM	#10
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative One wire alternator where for race car app's. They over flowed to the street but are not very good at charging with all the stuff used on a street cars. Do yourself a favor and go back to a regular 3 wire and have plenty of power and less stress in your life! Mad electric and member VetteVet will get you where you need to be. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

02-01-2015, 12:12 PM	#11
DeadheadNM Carpe manana Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 12,337	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative FWIW - I've used the plug-and-play harness adapter for the internally regulated alternator without problems: http://www.classicheartbeat.com/Elec...%20harness.htm __________________ 1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 Members met: ORANGBLAZ, 2003 silverado, MikeCofield, BB72CHEVKT, Duncan&Son, Sameyrasmea72, THENEWMEXICAN, HotRod C/10, brianthelion02, Sport/Truck, ryanroo, michael bustamante, Dirt's72, Already Gone, WestButteTruck, 57taskforce, Moreyel, painterljp, AASmedic, SoCoC10, Lumaestas, carbuff382, Chevyland

02-01-2015, 07:55 PM	#12
72BlazerFC Freedom Fighter U.S.Army Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kingman, AZ. Posts: 79	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative Quick question, why would my alternator squeeling then when I unplug the connector it stops

02-01-2015, 08:15 PM	#14
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative 1972RedNeck, if you've ever been with someone, you know that it's better than self exciting. Same is true of an alternator. I don't know the science but suffice it to say that the current for excitement has to come from somewhere. If it's coming from the alt. then part of it's output is going somewhere besides the system. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

02-01-2015, 10:19 PM	#16
72BlazerFC Freedom Fighter U.S.Army Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kingman, AZ. Posts: 79	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative Had alternator tested and it tested good

02-01-2015, 11:12 PM	#17
72BlazerFC Freedom Fighter U.S.Army Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kingman, AZ. Posts: 79	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative Also with the connector plugged in and by unplugging the voltage regulator the squeeling stops

02-02-2015, 07:48 PM	#20
RichardJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,419	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative 72BlazerFC , you should have started a new thread, because your problem is totally unrelated to this thread. I've only seen two reasons for an alternator to squeal. Bad bearings or a loose belt. You could have bad bearings and an overly tightened, but it probably wouldn't make a difference if you pulled the plug OFF. There are three things I would caution you against. 1st, don't pull the connector off the alternator with the engine running. 2nd, don't pull the connector off the alternator with the engine running. 3rd, don't pull the connector off the alternator with the engine running. __________________ '67 GMC 2500, 292, 4spd, AC

02-02-2015, 08:17 PM	#21
RichardJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,419	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative There was some good advice offered about where to find out how alternators work and how they should be wired. Advice that is as usual, completely ignored or if not ignored, then the reader failed to understand and didn't ask for help understanding what they had read. You have heard of electricity being refer to as a garden hose with respect to voltage and current. Voltage being the pressure and current being the amount of water flowing through the hose. Let's say you are the alternator and a bucket is the battery. The bucket is 30 feet away and you're filling it with the charging wire (hose). The sensing wire connected to post #2 is the visual line of sight from the bucket, to your brain, the voltage regulator. When you see the bucket is full, your brain decides to turn the water valve off. Now move the bucket around a corner of a building so that you can't see it. This is the same as connecting post #2 directly to the B+ on the alternator. You turn the water on until you get your feet wet, then you turn the water off. A true one-wire regulator works the same way. __________________ '67 GMC 2500, 292, 4spd, AC

02-11-2015, 12:22 PM	#23
RManson Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: United States Posts: 158	Re: One Wire Chevy Alternator Alternative Glad you got your alternator sorted out. Not so sure about the one-wire backlash. Here's "proof of performance" from my one-wire that's on my LS. Two electric fans, electric fuel pump, EFI, Drive-by wire throttle, A/C, power windows, stereo... all the usual modern electrical junk one could imagine and it keeps up fine. Granted, it's wired directly to the battery with a 6-gauge wire and I think that's where the retrofit one-wire setups could be having problems. Anyways, more fuel for the fire... [IMG][/IMG]



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