Which Light alternator? 3 versus 1 wire?
#486377
10/02/09 06:00 PM
10/02/09 06:00 PM
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Kam*Kuda
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I am getting ready for the Alternator.
I am running EFI and I understand that they need good constant current.
I was looking at a Denso Alternator converted to a one wire
Was is the advantage or disadvantage of the one wire system?
1970 Barracuda Convertible
1968 Satellite Street Strip car
1654.5 Mustang
1955 Land Rover
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Re: Which Light alternator? 3 versus 1 wire?
[Re: 451Mopar]
#486379
10/03/09 10:21 AM
10/03/09 10:21 AM
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Kam*Kuda
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Thank you FYI I have done some additional research and found the following Quote:
Fuel injection tips: use an alternator newer than 1990. If you are building a Mopar use the Denso unit. Its not only about amps, the alternator must control the voltage spikes so the ECU will not be damaged, older alternators are not designed to protect the ECU.
http://www.rushpowersystems.net/?p=6
1970 Barracuda Convertible
1968 Satellite Street Strip car
1654.5 Mustang
1955 Land Rover
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Re: Which Light alternator? 3 versus 1 wire?
[Re: 451Mopar]
#486380
10/03/09 10:44 AM
10/03/09 10:44 AM
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Anonymous
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Quote:
1 Cons are the internal regulator is sensing the output voltage at the alternator terminal, not the battery. With a one wire you just want a good low resistance connection to the battery.
3-wire (external regulator) as installed on our old muscle cars really is not any better.
2 The external regulator senses the voltage of the engine compartment wiring harness which can have a good amount of resistance to the battery.
3 Most of the newer cars and trucks use the 3-wire setup because the computer can directly monitor battery voltage and both air temperature and battery temperature and set the best alternator output voltage to maximize battery life.
1 are you really sure about that statement, and if so, please explain how the way the regulator is wired to make it different in that way.
2 i agree
3 pleas explain how a 3 wire regulator helps the computer to measure battery temperature and air temperature on a newer vehicle. i don't doubt the computer can do those things, but i doubt it's because of the 3 wires on the regulator. regardless of the type of regulator used, it will measure battery voltage, provided a properly sized cable is used on nthe 1 wire type from the battery to the alternator. besides that, the 1 wire does take the possibilty of extra resistance in the wiring harness out of the equation compared to the 3 wire setup. please explain how i'm wrong on that. i'm always willing to learn something new if you have some factual data to share.
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Re: Which Light alternator? 3 versus 1 wire?
[Re: dusturbd340W5]
#486382
10/03/09 04:16 PM
10/03/09 04:16 PM
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Anonymous
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[quote
The newer cars do measure air and battery temp but it does not do it through the alternator it is done through other sensors and some of the newer cars have more than 3 wires coming out of the alternator.
i know, but i'm still hoping to learn about the other stuff that was posted. maybe 451mopar is an automotive electrical engineer or something and i'll learn something new.
Last edited by DRAM_Perf_Only; 10/03/09 04:17 PM.
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Re: Which Light alternator? 3 versus 1 wire?
#486383
10/03/09 09:12 PM
10/03/09 09:12 PM
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Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar
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Quote:
Quote:
1 Cons are the internal regulator is sensing the output voltage at the alternator terminal, not the battery. With a one wire you just want a good low resistance connection to the battery.
3-wire (external regulator) as installed on our old muscle cars really is not any better.
2 The external regulator senses the voltage of the engine compartment wiring harness which can have a good amount of resistance to the battery.
3 Most of the newer cars and trucks use the 3-wire setup because the computer can directly monitor battery voltage and both air temperature and battery temperature and set the best alternator output voltage to maximize battery life.
1 are you really sure about that statement, and if so, please explain how the way the regulator is wired to make it different in that way.
2 i agree
3 pleas explain how a 3 wire regulator helps the computer to measure battery temperature and air temperature on a newer vehicle. i don't doubt the computer can do those things, but i doubt it's because of the 3 wires on the regulator. regardless of the type of regulator used, it will measure battery voltage, provided a properly sized cable is used on nthe 1 wire type from the battery to the alternator. besides that, the 1 wire does take the possibilty of extra resistance in the wiring harness out of the equation compared to the 3 wire setup. please explain how i'm wrong on that. i'm always willing to learn something new if you have some factual data to share.
1. Because the 1-wire alternator only has an output connection, the internal regulator has to sample the voltage at the alternator output to control the alternators output voltage. Because the alternator heats up when generating power, and has a cooling fan blowing air through the alternator to cool it, the temperature compensation of the internal regulator is not very good. Again, this is not a really big deal, you just may not get the longest life out of your battery.
3. The 3-wire alternator does not sense anything, it just has access to the field connections so the regulator can control the alternator outout. For maximum battery life, the battery needs to be charged at different rates depending on the battery voltage and the battery temperature. Our muscle car regulators have some simple temperature compensation, but it senses the air temperature as an estimate of battery temp, but th e battery will heat up as it is being charged, that us why several new cars have a thermal sensor for the battery. Another problem with the stock muscle car regulator is the battery voltage is sensed after going through a fuseable link, bulk head connectors, ammeter, and ignition switch so there can be a good difference between the ignition wiring voltage and the voltage reaching the battery terminals.
And yes, I am an electrical engineer, but I work for an aerospace company.
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Re: Which Light alternator? 3 versus 1 wire?
[Re: Quicktree]
#486385
10/03/09 09:52 PM
10/03/09 09:52 PM
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Posts: 866
Winnipeg ,Mb. CA.
chryco
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This little East Coast Electric one wire is great.
Gas is fer washin' parts ....Alky`s fer drinkin' ...Nitro`s fer Racin'!
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Re: Which Light alternator? 3 versus 1 wire?
[Re: 451Mopar]
#486386
10/03/09 10:08 PM
10/03/09 10:08 PM
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Anonymous
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Quote:
And yes, I am an electrical engineer, but I work for an aerospace company.
this is precisely why i ask questions. thank you for the information. 
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Post deleted by Defbob
#486387
10/03/09 11:38 PM
10/03/09 11:38 PM
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Re: Which Light alternator? 3 versus 1 wire?
#486388
10/04/09 12:08 AM
10/04/09 12:08 AM
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Anonymous
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
And yes, I am an electrical engineer, but I work for an aerospace company.
this is precisely why i ask questions. thank you for the information.
but did you ever stay at a Holiday Inn and did your phone work 
well, as a matter of fact, yes to both questions. i even stayed at a holiday in express once. 
please be aware though that SCtasters often don't answer the phone.
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Re: Which Light alternator? 3 versus 1 wire?
[Re: Quicktree]
#486390
10/04/09 10:27 PM
10/04/09 10:27 PM
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Kam*Kuda
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Quote:
I can't see heat being a problem on a race car. they are only run a few minutes at a time if that much.
That is probably true,
The dialogue has been very informative.
My original post was for a street strip car with EFI
I understand a constant voltage was possibly more important.
It sounds like the 1 wire will be fine. Would you agree?
I was looking at the Denso (Toyota alternator)
Last edited by Kam*Kuda; 10/04/09 11:24 PM.
1970 Barracuda Convertible
1968 Satellite Street Strip car
1654.5 Mustang
1955 Land Rover
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Re: Which Light alternator? 3 versus 1 wire?
[Re: Kam*Kuda]
#486391
10/04/09 10:29 PM
10/04/09 10:29 PM
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Kam*Kuda
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Note the procharger is on the other side now with alternator going on the passenger side. (not that it matter) I would appreciate any suggestion on a Alternator and suggested Amps
Last edited by Kam*Kuda; 10/04/09 10:30 PM.
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