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One Wire Alternator Suggestions

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by nedson, Apr 15, 2008.

  1. nedson

    nedson New Member

    Hello...

    I've got a 6 cylinder 1974 DJ5 with a stock alternator.

    The alternator has gone bad and I am looking to upgrade to a one wire alternator.

    Anyone have any suggestions about a one wire alternator that doesn't require modifying the harness? I bet that the CJ5 and DJ5 have the same harness...

    Any suggestions appreciated.


    Thanks,

    Nathan
     
    nedson, Apr 15, 2008
    #1
  2. High5

    High5 Member

    Why do you want one wire?????

    I upgraded to a powermaster and it plugged right in. Of course this was after I realized that the wires were configered wrong and had to switch them.

    Works great now.

    High5
     
    High5, Apr 15, 2008
    #2
  3. LarryD

    LarryD Member

    It can be as simple as connecting a 8-10 ga wire from the bat terminal on the back of the alternator to the + post on your starter solenoid.
     
    LarryD, Apr 15, 2008
    #3
  4. nedson

    nedson New Member

    Well, I thought upgrading to a one wire might simplify things a bit since it eliminates the voltage regulator...
     
    nedson, Apr 15, 2008
    #4
  5. LarryD

    LarryD Member

    It does eleminate the external regulator, You still have a regulator it is internal to the alternator, one of the advantages is there are literally thjousands of sources for alternators and service parts, any FLAPS will have brushes bearings and regularors as well as rebuilt units, also any salvage yard for 10-15$.
     
    LarryD, Apr 15, 2008
    #5
  6. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    A 3-wire Delco is almost as simple to wire up as a one-wire, they're cheaper to buy and easier to replace if it blows it's nose out in Resume Speed Iowa.

    All you need is a wire from the "2" or "Field" terminal omn the side of a Delco 10si alternator to the big "BAT" post on the back of the unit, and then the big #6 wire from the "BAT" terminal to the (+) terminal of the battery and voila! You now have a Delco alternator that works! (If you want, you can run a wire from the "1" terminal up to a dash indicator, but that's entirely up to you.
     
    w3srl, Apr 15, 2008
    #6
  7. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Regardless, you're going to have to change the harness a little. The Delco alternator was used in inline 6s in the late 70s (my truck has a Delco) but the wiring harness for '74 will be quite different from the later harnesses. In '75, Jeep went to a fuse box instead of inline fuses in the earlier CJ harnesses.

    The Motorola alternators aren't great, but unless you want to run big lights or other power hungry accessories, it might not be worth it to change to a Delco. The usual failure in the Motorolas is blown diodes; you used to be able to buy just the diode assy, but today it's probably cheaper to buy an entire reman alternator.
     
    timgr, Apr 15, 2008
    #7
  8. 73cj5

    73cj5 Member

    x2
    i had a one wire and it was no good you had the rev the motor to 2grand just to get the thing to start charging. i now have a 78 amp 12SI and very happy with it.
     
    73cj5, Apr 15, 2008
    #8
  9. norvcj5

    norvcj5 New Member

    Could you explain what a 12SI is.
    Thanks Paul
     
    norvcj5, Apr 15, 2008
    #9
  10. DKillam

    DKillam Sponsor

    DKillam, Apr 16, 2008
    #10
  11. norvcj5

    norvcj5 New Member

    Great information
    Thanks Paul
     
    norvcj5, Apr 18, 2008
    #11
  12. Psychojeeper

    Psychojeeper Aint 'sposed to be pretty

    Is it still necessary to run a ground wire for a 1wire alternator? and if so whats the best method of getting a good ground? maybe ground the case to the engine or chassis? I am currently putting a 1-wire Ford (110 amp) in with the engine swap. Installation directions didnt cover wiring or grounding.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2008
    Psychojeeper, Apr 26, 2008
    #12
  13. Griff75

    Griff75 Member

    Just in case you guys don't know, you can unbolt the rear housing and change the position of it. I put a chevy version 10SI on my 304 cause it had a metal fan. The AMC version had a plastic fan. The chevy version was oriented to mount on the drivers side so I couldn't plug in the two wire connector. I just took the 4 mount bolts out and rotated the rear housing.

    John
     
    Griff75, Apr 26, 2008
    #13