Alternator - one wire to three wire

I have been reading posts to this forumn and I gather a three wire setup might be better than a one wire.

Can a one wire be converted to a three wire?

If it can be done, can it be done without disassembling the alternator?

Regards
Boyde

I have NO way of knowing if that will work with yours, or not. SOME "one-wire" alternators seem to drain the battery over a period of time, when the tractor sits unused. Some folks deny this attribute of the one-wire units. If your's is one of the units prone to slowly discharging the battery, the added "3-wire" connections won't help with that.

This is a partial diagram of a three-wire setup.

A #194 indicator lamp, used as an "idiot lamp", can be used as a direct substitute for the diode, if an indicator light is desired.

Even better (but not NECESSARY for simple tractor or older vehicle setups) is to connect the #2 terminal to a point as close to the (+) battery terminal (remote voltage sensing).

You can read about that on the MAD electrical site linked below. There's a number of good articles there on 3-wire alternators and remote voltage sensing.

• Get MAD

Boyde

I certainly agree, though, he is better off exchanging his new "one-wire" alternator for a standard "3-wire" unit, rather than messing around with what he has, and risking problems.

HOWEVER, you made a typo recommending a 1967 alternator. The desirable internally-regulated units didn't come into common use on the GM vehicles until 1972 or 1973.

A 1967 10DN alternator would NOT have an internal regulator.

I always tell folks to get an alternator for a 1985 Chevy pickup without AC.

Delco 10DN (NO internal regulator)

Delco 10SI (HAS internal regulator.)