I need some help. I recently replaced the alternator on my 64 Chevy and bought the replacement at Advanced Auto parts. It was an easy install but after I put it in the wires going to my battery heated up and melted the plastic coating on them. So, I went back and got another alternator. Same thing happened. I have looked for wires touching and haven't found any, what could be the problem?? Rick
The connection was one plastic connector straight to the alternator. Advanced said the voltage regulator was built into it. Rick
Did you use at least 10 gauge wire from the BAT terminal to the positive (+) post of your battery? DV
DV, I didn't change any of the wiring. I just assumed the wiring was good since I never had a problem before. Rick
[updated:LAST EDITED ON Oct-20-03 AT 12:46 PM (CST)]>DV, > > I didn't change any of the wiring. I just assumed the >wiring was good since I never had a problem before. > Rick, Let me be positive I'm understanding the sequence of events.. 1) Did you replace an externally regulated alternator with an internally ( one-wire) alternator? If you just don't know. Look on the drivers side of the radiator support next to the radiator. Is there a box there that the wires from the alt are running to? 2) Did you replace a one-wire alt with another one wire alt? If the answer to #1 was yes. You need to run a 10 guage wire from the new alt to the positive post of the battery and pull that box ( external regulator) on the radiator support off. There will be extra wires left over, just use electrical tape and wrap wach wire individually and bundle them up and tuck them away. If the answer to number #2 was yes Run a new 10 guage wire. When the old alternator went out it probably took the wire with it. The heat you described could be from one of two things, You didn't hook that 10 guage wire to the BAT terminal of the alternator, or the wire you used was too small. OR Advanced got in a supply of bad alternators... Dennis
I had a heck of a time with the alternator on my '65 just this weekend and a similar problem. My old 3-wire alternator burned(smoke and all) up last week so I decided to slap in the old Delco-Remy generator and external voltage regulator. I could not get the thing to work for the life of me. I had the alternator tested, bought a brand new voltage regulator and checked the alternator excitor wire. Everything checked out fine. WTH? After deciding that my sanity was worth $70 I went and bought a one-wire replacement. Unfortunately, the new alternator made quick work of the fusible link(that I'd put in before) on the end of the charge wire at the battery end. I decided to replace the whole wire and now I have no problems. It sounds like your problem was just that the wire was too small for the power that the new alternator was putting out. Do you know what your new alternator is rated at? I think the stock one puts out 50 or 65 amps. The one I just put in puts out 100 amps, so it stands to reason that it would cook the wire going to the battery. For a few bucks, a bigger wire is certainly worth a try.
"I think the stock one puts out 50 or 65 amps. The one I just put in puts out 100 amps, so it stands to reason that it would cook the wire going to the battery. " Actually? A stock alt rated at 50 - 65 amps really only is producing 30 most of the time. The stock units are rated at their output at "peak" which equates to 3,000 rpm and higher. Look for a high performance 100 - 130 amp alt to get a 80 amp rating at idle or parade speeds. That will help prevent the battery from draining out while cruising "parade style" with the stero and a/c running. DV
I just re-wired a 62 model chevy to accomodate a second generation CS style one wire alternator out of a '97 model chevy pickup. This alternator had a lamp wire for the dash light and a charging wire, all of the wires connected to the old generator went with the old generator. I used information from a company out of California called M.A.D Electrical to make my own wiring harness for the motor and dash. This company puts together kits for conversions and relays to keep items like new alternators, electric fans, and electric fuel pumps from stealing power from the dash. I learned a great deal about the wiring system and ways to create my own charging system. All of the items I have added to the system have performed great and without any meltdowns. You might check them out on the web @ www.madelectrical.com. It really helped me get around the old system and build a solid electrical system.
