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Topic: Which alternator do I have? Please help.

in Forum: C3 Electrical

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Which alternator do I have? Please help.

Posted: 4/9/07 10:28pm Message 1 of 7
lavavader
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Joined: 4/9/2007
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Vette(s): 1970 with 454

Hi, I do know a lot about cars but I don't know much about alternators. I have a 1970 corvette with a 454 in it. I'm updating the stereo system so I am looking to purchase a 100 amp chrome alternator. What I need to know is which alternator do I have? One wire or Three wire? This is not my car but this is what my alternator looks like:
                                                           
                                                            Alternator pic






(large image changed to link)Adams' Apple2007-04-10 05:11:07


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Which alternator do I have? Please help.

Posted: 4/10/07 5:08am Message 2 of 7
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I would suggest yours is the "3wire" type.
The single wire systems are more for street-rods/hot-rods. It just makes for an easier wiring set-up on them.

Welcome to C3VR, by the way!


Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Which alternator do I have? Please help.

Posted: 4/10/07 7:27am Message 3 of 7
mkapp7879
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Well, this may just cause confusion but I just rebuilt a 78 alternator and the rebuild kit referred to it as a 1 wire alternator, or as a 10SI.  It looks like the pic you posted with a 2 wire connector and I'm sure there's a hot connected to it too. Looking in one of the vendor catalogs at chrome alternators it gives one part no. for 69-82. But I'm pretty sure "1 wire hookup" means the internal hookup to the regulator.   Mike


Which alternator do I have? Please help.

Posted: 4/10/07 10:26am Message 4 of 7
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
[QUOTE=mkapp7879] Well, this may just cause confusion...[/QUOTE]


You're right....I'm confused!!!
But, you are probably right...I may just have the "Old fart" syndrome...where I just can't grasp any of this newfangeled terminology...


Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Which alternator do I have? Please help.

Posted: 4/10/07 11:44am Message 5 of 7
eddie20875
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Lanoka Harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/21/2006
Posts: 828
Vette(s): 1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c
now you two guys got me really confusedWackoWacko. on some chrome alts. that i have seen they say they are one wire and if you have the old style just pull off the cap and plug the terminal in. if it is one wire alt wouldn't the only wire you connect would be the hot one one the back of unit?


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Which alternator do I have? Please help.

Posted: 4/10/07 3:14pm Message 6 of 7
flandy Lifetime #45
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Lawrenceville, GA - USA
Joined: 10/25/2002
Posts: 100
Vette(s): 1968 427 coupe and 96 LT4 six speed Gran Sport clone
  Hi this is Flandy, I'm a mod in two other forums, but I think the 10SI is a 63 amp alt.  I have a cust. that gave me a chrome 100 amp, that he called a self-exciter style alt..  I took the two wire plug out of the old, snipped the plug about 3" from the connection in case of reuse needs, and taped the 2 feed wires off.  Then you just hook the power wire to the back of the alt. Ihope this helps-Phil


Which alternator do I have? Please help.

Posted: 4/10/07 10:17pm Message 7 of 7
lavavader
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Joined: 4/9/2007
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Vette(s): 1970 with 454

Thanks everyone. I figured out it is a one wire internally regulated alternator. Apparently almost all classics are one wire.




in Forum: C3 Electrical


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