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How do you wire an alternator on a Chevy?

How do you wire an alternator on a Chevy?

When your ready to wire the Alternator, remove the 2 heavy Red wires that are connected to terminal 1 on the voltage regulator. Remove the heavy Dark Brown wire from terminal 2 of the voltage regulator. Insert the plastic plug that came with the Alternator into the socket on the Alternator.

Do you need a pigtail for an alternator rebuilder?

If you have an alternator rebuilder near you they will likely have the pigtail you need for a few dollars. It will consist of a connector with a couple wires sticking out. Another option is the junkyard. Almost any GM with a CS130 or CS144 will have the required connector.

What should the voltage be on an alternator?

Check the reading on the voltmeter again. The voltage should increase by between 0.5 and 2 volts to around 13.6 to 15.8. If the reading stays the same or drops, that means the alternator isn’t charging and you may need a new one. If the reading is more than 2 volts higher, that could mean that your alternator is overcharging.

Where is the charge warning light on a GM alternator?

But this is not a simple bolt-on conversion. The 10- and 12-SI units use a different two-wire connector plug on the rear of the alternator. The Number 1 wire on the 10- or 12-SI is connected to the charge warning light on the dash. The Number 2 wire is what is called the voltage sensing wire.

What kind of Pigtail does a GM alternator use?

JT (2530H) 2-Wire GM Alternator Connector Pigtail for Transistorized Alternator w/ Internal Voltage Regulator 1971 & Newer, 1 Pc. These alternators are also used on many farm and marine applications plus conversions on Ford, Chrysler and Mopar (Jeep) vehicles. (1) 12AWG & (1) 16AWG – 5.5″ Leads Can also use JT #2801F for same application.

Where is the voltage sensing wire on a GM alternator?

The Number 1 wire on the 10- or 12-SI is connected to the charge warning light on the dash. The Number 2 wire is what is called the voltage sensing wire. When converting from an external voltage regulator to an internal such as the 12-SI, many enthusiasts merely connect the Number 2 voltage sensing wire directly to the output terminal.

How big of a charge wire do I need for an alternator?

The voltage-sensing wire is best connected closer to the battery. High-output alternators (greater than 100 amp) need a minimum of an 8-or-larger gauge charge wire to reduce resistance. The bottom wire is AWG 12, the middle is AWG 10, and the largest is AWG 6.

Why does an alternator need a heavier wire than a stock battery?

“An alternator with a higher amp output than stock requires a heavier charge wire (the wire that connects the alternator to the battery) because of the increased amperage.” To evaluate your charging system, try this simple experiment.

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Ruth Doyle