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These
are GM DELCO alternators with built-in voltage regulators, but not
“ONE-WIRE” alternators–there is a difference.
(“ONE-WIRE” alternators were built for farm tractors and
industrial applications with minimal accessories and short-in-length wire
harness–the “one-wire” model is basically used for a battery
charger.)
The
“standard” model (as GM installed on cars and trucks, three-wire) is
the best for “street cars,” and it works equally well with Racing and
Industrial applications too.
(1)
It is not expensive, and replacements are found where auto
parts are sold. (Practical,
never miss a race or a car show, while waiting for a replacement to be
shipped. And never get stuck
away from home where there is no “one wire” replacement to be found.)
(2)
The voltage
regulator can read voltage “down-stream” from the alternator, at the
common power distribution in the wire harness.
This feature is critically important to good electrical system
performance–The “standard” three-wire can do it, but the
“one-wire” cannot do it.
(Put
a 100amp, “one-wire” alternator on a typical car like a ’70 Chevelle
or Camaro with original wiring, and the lights will be more dim and the
ignition weaker than with the original, lazy, externally regulated
alternator.)
(3)
The “standard” model (three wire) can operate a warning light
at the dash. (“one-wire”
cannot.) Operating the
factory warning light at the dash is a nice touch–and a volt gauge can
still be added. The warning
lights are attention getting. If
the light comes ON, watch the temp gauge–there may be a belt problem
which has also stopped running the water pump. |
