gm single wire delco

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    • March 21, 2014 at 8:30 am #30873
      DavidPrivett
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        I know this is not Chinese or diesel but I could use a opinion or good knowledge so I came here(now that I got you buttered up) I put a single wire delco alt. on the neighbor 8n ford ,it was ok at first but it seemed harder to get it to start charging by reving the engine so I asked the atl.repair guy and he gave me a 2 prong plug and said to hook the red lead to the hot and the white to the switched side of the start switch .All was good until I went to turn it off it kept running .I remembered from years ago about placing a diode in line on the ignition switch wire I added.all I had was a 1/8 watt diode,it seems to be working just fine ,but it'nt that a bit small watt wise? I could be over thinking this .I guess that it is just a sense wire.Thanks Dave

      • March 21, 2014 at 9:13 am #36829
        Tinbender
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          I think that sense wire goes to an idiot light on the dash in a GM harness. It's been so long my brain is a little fuzzy, I'll ask my mechanic friend for a conformation.

        • March 21, 2014 at 10:41 am #36830
          Bob Rooks
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            Why use a diode when it isn’t necessary? And don't just run the sensing wire to the “BAT” terminal, run it all the way back to the battery terminal. The indicator “idiot” light is optional.

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          • March 21, 2014 at 7:39 pm #36832
            DavidPrivett
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              remember I said this is a ford 8n that is gas and without the diode the power runs backwards thru the wire I added to get it to charge at low rpms ,so it is energizing the points,no idiot light on this just a amp meter

            • March 21, 2014 at 7:41 pm #36833
              DavidPrivett
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                remember from the factory this was 6 volt positive ground so we have reinvented this.

              • March 21, 2014 at 8:24 pm #36834
                RichWaugh
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                  The diode concept will work fine but you really might want to up it to a 2-watt diode, or even a 5-watt.  Alternately, you could install a “kill” switch that opens that circuit and forget the diode.

                • March 22, 2014 at 6:25 am #36835
                  DavidPrivett
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                    thank you that was what I was thinking size wise now if they still have them at a radio shack,I will look next time in town.

                  • March 22, 2014 at 1:34 pm #36836
                    Bob Rooks
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                      The correct size pulley would have solved the low charge rate. If you run the white (field) wire as shown in the diagram you don't need a diode. If the engine runs on after you turn off the key switch then something is wrong.

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                    • March 23, 2014 at 3:03 am #36837
                      Bob Rooks
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                        David wrote:

                        “remember from the factory this was 6 volt positive ground so we have reinvented this.”

                        This is nothing new. I have converted several vehicles and boats from 6v to 12v, and to 24v and 32 v. Also did my M-37A Power Wagon from 24v to 12v. Not once did I ever use a diode with the alternator.

                         

                        Also said:

                        “…added to get it to charge at low rpms ,so it is energizing the points…”

                        Points? What points? Distributor contacts? Those shouldn't run off the alternator.

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