one wire alternators ?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Rothschild Wisconsin
one wire alternators ?
I want to put in a chrome alternator. One wire vs. 3 wire. Whats the best? What are the differences? Will a one wire work for my 81. and will it do the job? The chevy dealer recomended this one. Do I need to rewire if I go to a one wire? I don't want to buy this one if it's not going to work the same as my stock alternator. Help me out please!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
One wire will not work as well as a 3 wire. It won't start charging as quick and has no way to sense load. If you turn on a high draw item like hi speed on the a/c heater, it won't add output until it sees a low voltage at the battery.
No rewire needed, just tape the existing 2 wire connector back to the harness.
I'd stay with the stock 3 wire- if you need a bigger one, you can rebuild yours up to 100 amps or get a reman already built to 100.
No rewire needed, just tape the existing 2 wire connector back to the harness.
I'd stay with the stock 3 wire- if you need a bigger one, you can rebuild yours up to 100 amps or get a reman already built to 100.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Remember, there is a reason the General and everyone else uses 3 wire systems. If you got wood for a chrome unit you can get the case for your 3 wire unit done, or there are some vendors that sell them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,353
From: Santa Ana CA
Well I've been using a 1-wire for years with no problems.
Sure you have to rev the engine once to about 1,200 rpm to start the charging process, but that's it until you shut off the engine. Next time you start it up, you need to rev it to 1,200 rpm again. (And who doesn't do that anyways?)
Sure you have to rev the engine once to about 1,200 rpm to start the charging process, but that's it until you shut off the engine. Next time you start it up, you need to rev it to 1,200 rpm again. (And who doesn't do that anyways?)
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Burlington Ontario
Well I've been using a 1-wire for years with no problems.
Sure you have to rev the engine once to about 1,200 rpm to start the charging process, but that's it until you shut off the engine. Next time you start it up, you need to rev it to 1,200 rpm again. (And who doesn't do that anyways?)
Sure you have to rev the engine once to about 1,200 rpm to start the charging process, but that's it until you shut off the engine. Next time you start it up, you need to rev it to 1,200 rpm again. (And who doesn't do that anyways?)
I have had a chrome 100 amp 1 wire on my car for two years now / no problems at all. Just tapped up the other two wires.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Salina Kansas
I did read some info a few years ago when I converted mine to a 3-wire cs144 alternator and from memory the issue is that the 3-wire alternator senses load from the 'splice' in the wiring about 2-3 feet from the alternator, which supposedly is more sensitive to amperage draw and the alternator compensates accordingly.
I run efi, a fairly high watt stereo, 36 amp spal fans, A1000 electric fuel pump etc. and the cs144 (I think out of a '96 monte carlo) works great. I did have to rewire some things, ran an 8 g wire from the starter to the splice to the alternator and another 8g from the alternator to the splice and back to the fuse block. Additionally, you have to put a resistor (I think this is what it is called). There are directions in the forum vault for all of this, so please reference that if you go the cs144 route rather than rely on my memory.
I run efi, a fairly high watt stereo, 36 amp spal fans, A1000 electric fuel pump etc. and the cs144 (I think out of a '96 monte carlo) works great. I did have to rewire some things, ran an 8 g wire from the starter to the splice to the alternator and another 8g from the alternator to the splice and back to the fuse block. Additionally, you have to put a resistor (I think this is what it is called). There are directions in the forum vault for all of this, so please reference that if you go the cs144 route rather than rely on my memory.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,353
From: Santa Ana CA
I didn't. I just used the existing red wire and connected the ground wire to the case (though the case is grounded through the bolts anyway).
Yes, the amps gauge on my '64 still works, but a C3 may be different.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I tried a 1-wire from Autozone once and had nothing but problems with it so I guess they've gotten a bad wrap due to this not being too uncommon. If you're going to change yoru alternator I'd skip it and do the CS130 or CS144 and not look back. I did the CS130 years ago on my Camaro and has been the most reliable (muscle car alternator) that I've every dealt with. Got a brand new one duralast gold and the cable with built in resistance for about $150 total and it has a life-time guarantee. I'm not versed on the CS144 yet but imagine it has added benefits over the CS130 as well.
