TheLoudestSilence

Ok I know im probably going to take some crap for this.. but a couple weeks ago my alternator died... So I had two options i could go buy a new one for my truck and spend $100 or i could do some redneck engineering and straight wire a 3 wire alternator i already had and not spend any money.. and seeing as how the rest of my truck is already butchered i went with the cheaper option..

So i got the 3 wire mounted and wired up and it works great.. except when i get on the highway ... the guage in the truck gets in the red and reads between 16 and 17 volts...

So.. My question.. would it be possible to run a toggle switch to the alternator and just be able to cut it off when ever it starts getting a little to high??? then turn it back on as needed?

dirtcrew51m

The regulator is probably bad.

TheLoudestSilence

Thats the problem.. I dont have a regulator anymore.. it was on my old alternator.. and I dont think the 3 wire i put on has one..

Thats why i was thinking I could maybe put a switch on the alternator itself and kinda self regulate it... i always pay attention to my gauges any way so i know i could remember to turn it on and off as needed..

But i dont even know if its possible to wire a switch... and if it is possible which wire do i run the switch to?

dirtcrew51m

You can, I think the orange is power to the alt, or should say stator, what ever wire has power when the key is on, poss the back, been a while since I played with the older systems, you could also wire a regulator, not that hard, just some 14 stranded and some stakons and an older type ford regulator, the reg might have where the wires go.

farmer12

lol thats hilarious...I'ma redneck too but this is funny. I suppose you could make it work, you'd have to run your switch to the wire that turns the alt on and off. Just have to make sure your batt doesnt get to low and leave ya sittin.

TheLoudestSilence

Ha yeah Its is crazy but as much as this truck drinks gas im trying not to spend any more money than needed on it lol.... and like I said Im always checking my gauges so i doubt id let it get to low..

Im going to try and wire the switch in tomorrow hopefully.. Everythings worked so far so im pretty happy lol...

I had to change the pully on the 3 wire alternator and rig up a redneck *** mounting bracket but it works!! lol

TheLoudestSilence

Ok so i spent the day working on grandpas truck today so i didnt get a switch wired up.. But if i wire the switch in to the wire that has power with the key on thats going to stop the alternator completly right? Is it possible to wire it to the output wire to where it stops power from going to the battery but still able to power the motor is what im trying to figure out..

If I have to completly turn the Alt off I guess thats ok.. but id like to get it where i can have the alt run the motor just not charge the battery..

Ranger2F150

I think we are going to read about this in the papers.

TheLoudestSilence

Thanks for the support man..

******* lol

farmer12

Redneck engineering is the best....I dont think you'll have any luck trying to run the engine with just the alt, I think you'll be better off just turning the alt off when the volts are getting to high. Or like the other guy suggested, just get an older voltage regulator and wire that up. Wouldnt be to hard to. But you are right, use the switched wire going to the alt.