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Question...
Where is the best place to connect a single wire alternator into a 1962 wire harness/ gauge system? I been told to connect direct to the ammeter, direct to the BAT terminal on the starter and direct to the battery. I would like the orginal ammeter gauge to work or should I up grade to a voltmeter?
I removed a one-wire Delco alternator from my 61 and replaced it with a correct original generator. But the alternator operated just fine for about six years connected to the same heavy gauge red wire that supplies the generator. If I recall the generator gauge worked as well.
You can hook up the alternator just as you state and the ammeter will work.
But you are taking a chance on burning the wiring, if not the car, because the stock wiring is not designed/sized to handle the load.
A generator puts out about 35 amps. Did you install a 36 amp alternator?
If you installed a 50 amp or larger alternator, and such a demand occurred, you are taking a great risk.
I think the alternator in my car was the very popular Delco 10SI which I believe is rated at 65 amps. I agree that the stock wiring is not designed to handle it. That's one of the reasons that I yanked it and put in an original 35 amp generator.
Sorry to all if I sounded like I advocated such a swap - I was just stating that there never was a problem with the alternator set up that was installed by a previous owner. I wonder, does the alternator always put out 65 amps if there is no demand for it to produce at that rate, or is that the maximum theoretical output rating?
That is the maximum theoretical output. It will only produce what is required at the time. If no new equipment is added the main danger would be if the battery is drained very low so the alternator would provide maximum amps to charge it. The wire from the switch to the starter solenoid would be overloaded possibly causing trouble.
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