One wire alternator woes

[JETEXAS]

I just converted to a new serpentine belt/bracket system on my 1967 standard with a 302, so during the conversion I switched to a 140 amp one wire alternator.

I ordered the painless wiring kit with it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be working at all.

I have both the original + wire (black) and the new painless wire hooked to the + on the alternator. Those run to a 200 amp fuse. Then the fuse connects to the battery. All connections there are clean and test good.

That was supposedly all it took, but I was getting nothing, so I hooked the ground wire from the old alternator (black with red stripe) to the ground connection on the new alternator. Still nothing.

I took the alternator to both O’Reillys and Autozone to have it tested, but since they don’t have a part number for it, the machine won’t run it.

Am I missing something stupid? I’m starting to think the alternator was DOA, but no way to tell.

Any help is appreciated.

[canted_393]

I guess hook it strait to the battery and see but your right should not be dead on the git go. But then you know should be throwing out 13-14 volts. Not unless some of the alternators are reversed like the waterpumps are on some serpentine systems.

[JETEXAS]

I pulled it all apart, double checked connections and put it back together. Now I’m getting 13 volts at idle and 12.8 with the headlights on. I think this alternator is bad.

[Royce]

The one wire connects through a fusible link to the + terminal on your battery. You need to rev the engine once to get the alternator on line. It should be producing 13.2 - 14.7 volts at idle. If it doesn’t you have a bad alternator.

Question: Why are you doing this?

[JETEXAS]

Ok, I wish I could say I figured it out, but I just pulled it off this morning and re-clocked it, so I could reach the positive terminal easier with the tester. When I put it back on, it was working. Didn’t change a thing in regard to the wiring. Who knows?

I was switching to the higher amp alternator to handle an electric fan, AC, upgraded headlights and a nice radio.

[JETEXAS]

If I run a line from the battery or from accessory power to the 3rd prong on the regulator, which is no longer being used, will it kick the amp light off?

[Royce]

With the one wire alternator you will need to add a voltmeter to monitor alternator performance. The alternator light won’t easily adapt.

[JETEXAS]

I think I found the solution. I’ll test this evening.

It can’t be THAT complicated to let an indicator light know the car has more than 12 volts.

[backcountrymonky]

did this work out for you?

[backcountrymonky]

did this solution for the dummy light work? about to install a one wire on my '70

thanks

[JETEXAS]

It did work to shut off the warning light, but the plug I ordered to fit the back of the alternator wasn’t well constructed and kept falling out. I finally gave up on it and let the dash light burn out.