Thread: 1 wire alternator

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As many good schematics and drawings as he's put up for me, I should probably send him a check!!!!!

I have a 1-wire alternator on my project '34. I understand that some folks have had problems with 1-wire alternators, but this one is new, and I'm not inclined to throw it away. I just don't want to burn the project down.

The attached diagram shows how I have it wired.

All the outputs from the panel are fused, based on what they're attached to. If any of them shorts out, the panel fuses protect me.

I'm thinking I need a maxi-fuse in wire "B" in case the alternator runs away on me. Does that make sense?

Denny,

I never had an old Chrysler . . . no clue what that is.

I put a maxi-fuse on all the cars I build!!! Cheap insurance for an electrical fire!!

Dave,

Did you put it where I indicated?

how do i know how many amps my alternator is.. my dad bought it for me a while back and i never asked.. cus i have mine setup the same way henry has his ran but without the panel?? And what exactly is that panel for?? And wat exactly is a maxi fuse.. sorry im new to this stuff guys im just a suspension guy wanting to learn more.

Denny,

It's 80 amps.

Painless has the optional one wire kit and a 50 amp maxi-fuse in most all of their kits as I understand it. This should prevent any battery explosions or fires. They were in my basic 12 circuit kit and I wired my Powermaster for 1 wire operation.

The only downside I see with the 1 wire is you do have to get to some rpm before it switches on. Once it's on it latches in and doesn't turn off until you turn off the car. I ain't too worried about a little blip of the throttle to latch it in.

Kitz

Originally Posted by kitz

Painless has the optional one wire kit and a 50 amp maxi-fuse in most all of their kits as I understand it. This should prevent any battery explosions or fires. They were in my basic 12 circuit kit and I wired my Powermaster for 1 wire operation.

The only downside I see with the 1 wire is you do have to get to some rpm before it switches on. Once it's on it latches in and doesn't turn off until you turn off the car. I ain't too worried about a little blip of the throttle to latch it in.

Kitz

Hmmmm. Didn't know they stayed on, thanks Kitz. So the low rpm no charge problem isn't really a problem as long as the engine is once over 1500 rpm and not shut off????

I believe that is correct ............

Kitz

Some interesting reading:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electri...hreewire.shtml

http://www.powermastermotorsports.co...ternators.html

Originally Posted by Shavenlaidblaze

how do i know how many amps my alternator is.. my dad bought it for me a while back and i never asked.. cus i have mine setup the same way henry has his ran but without the panel?? And what exactly is that panel for?? And wat exactly is a maxi fuse.. sorry im new to this stuff guys im just a suspension guy wanting to learn more.

The "panel" is the main fuse box in the car. That's where almost all of the wiring originates. A maxi fuse is a very large capacity fuse (60 amp or more) that protects the main supply circuit in case of a major short.

Originally Posted by DennyW

Yes Dave, that is correct. The reason being, there is not enough magnetism to activate the field, until the rpm's are raised slightly. (electro magnetism), unlike the generator fields, which maintain magnetism.

So, I'm going to have to excite my alternator? I'm getting too old for that.