Hi my name is Terry, Just bought my fav truck of all time (stock 53 chevy 3100 ) and need a little help. It has been converted to 12 volt but the alternator looks like an old generator. Parts store says it is not putting out enough to maintain lights etc. There is 2 wires going to it. Parts store wants to sell me a 1 wire alternator. hmmmm. I do custom interiors and dont have a clue about electrical. Terry
Welcome Aboard Terry enjoy the ride while here. Got any photos to show us so we can see if it is a generator or something else?
Welcome, Terry! Yup, as Charles said, we don't give out info unless you post a picture of your baby. There is something about one wire alternators and these old rigs, but pictures would be nice.
One wire alternators are easy. I am running a 69 Camaro application on mine. Just run an exciter wire from switched power to one of the terminals to tell it when to turn on.
If it looks like a generator I'll bet you have a 12 volt generator. Generators have two wires, and armature and a field, that go to the regulator (Box on the fire wall). When I did my 12v conversion I used a 3 wire gm alternator because I got one cheap. Its easy to install. The main wire goes to the battery, one wire you hook to the main wire (senses voltage for the internal regulator), and the last one (exciter) you run to a key'd power source such as the ignition or coil. If you go that route know that you need to add something like a light bulb inline on the exciter wire. If you don't have a bulb inline the alternator will send power back up the wire to the coil and keep your truck running even after you turn off the key. Having a bulb also works like an idiot light that tells you if you are charging or not. The bulb will light up if not charging and go out if you are charging. If you go the 3 wire route feel free to ask questions since I just did mine about a month ago.
Hope this helps on the generator issue. Randy Rundle 5th Avenue Antique Auto Parts http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/ The Official 12-Volt Conversion Guide http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/pdf/Alt Gazette.pdf
Welcome terry ! FWIW ; Some of my vintage vehicles still have generators (generators are long cylinders) and they work just fine in daily driver service , keeping my old tech tube radio playing softly as the Halogen Headlights illuminate the road ahead... Anyone who blindly says " you need an alternator " isn't qualified to check your oil much less tell you how to fix your old truck . That being said , alternators are great and *much* more reliable .
