Single Wire Alternator

[steiner_5000]

I found this topic on another website and thought I would ask. Is there any way to make a 4.0 a single wire or am I forced to used the 4-5 wire? If anyone knows how to do this it would help me alot.

 

[Capt Jay]

Why?
What would the advantage be. If the truck is wired for and alternator and isn't modified and has the original electrical system there is no reason to change.

That's just my opinion I could be wrong ( but I'm not).
Jay

 

[Will]

The one wire alternator is no good in such a complicated vehicle.

The advantage of the one in your Ranger (three wire) is that the field voltage is adjusted by the "system voltage". Due to voltage drop by the length of the wires throughout the system, the alternator needs to put out a little more voltage to provide all of the systems with what they need. A one wire sees it's voltage only at the source so it always thinks its doing a good job.

You may find your engine computer doesn't like running 2 volts below where it was designed to operate. You might find your tail lights are dim etc.

A one wire is good for a simple vehicle that just needs to recharge the battery after a start-up. It doesn't belong in anything else though.