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Alternator wiring

A ArnoldJDuarte
Hello everyone,
I am rewiring my speedster form scratch starting with a pre-wired fuse panel. the problem I am having is wiring my alternator. I am using a Autometer voltmeter and my ignition is dash mounted. According to the instructions from Autometer, the "Ground" tab should be wired to a good ground on the chassis and the "I" tab wired to the ignition switch.

With a wiring diagram I found from CB Performance on these forums, I then wired the B+ from the alternator to the starter solenoid where a second wire on the same tab is connected to the positive side of the battery through a fuse. The D+ from the alternator is wired to the ignition.

Once connected, I started the car but it won't turn off. The wiring diagram from CB shows that a dash light goes between the ignition switch and the D+. Since I am not using a dash light but a gauge, is there a step that I am missing in completing the circuit? I would appreciate any help from anyone on the problem.

Thanks.

Arnold
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A ArnoldJDuarte
Hello everyone,
I am rewiring my speedster form scratch starting with a pre-wired fuse panel. the problem I am having is wiring my alternator. I am using a Autometer voltmeter and my ignition is dash mounted. According to the instructions from Autometer, the "Ground" tab should be wired to a good ground on the chassis and the "I" tab wired to the ignition switch.

With a wiring diagram I found from CB Performance on these forums, I then wired the B+ from the alternator to the starter solenoid where a second wire on the same tab is connected to the positive side of the battery through a fuse. The D+ from the alternator is wired to the ignition.

Once connected, I started the car but it won't turn off. The wiring diagram from CB shows that a dash light goes between the ignition switch and the D+. Since I am not using a dash light but a gauge, is there a step that I am missing in completing the circuit? I would appreciate any help from anyone on the problem.

Thanks.

Arnold
J jspbtown
The D+ must be wired to the switch through an incandecent light bulb. At start up the + is supplied by the switch and the - comes from the D+. Once the engine is rev'd it "excites' the alternator which produces a + charge from the D+ and the light goes out. You need the light.

Your voltmeter gauge can come off of any switched power source as it only indicates the charge level of the battery.
Gordon NicholsGordon NicholsMassachusetts 1993 CMC Supporting Member
Usually there is a light in one of your gauges that is supposed to be for this purpose. It should be insulated from ground and allow you to connect to wires to it. If not, then, yes, you'll have to add a light.

Just make sure that you attach the D+ to one side of the bulb and +12 from the ignition switch to the other side. There should be NO ground present on the bulb.

Alan:

If you had wired it the other way for all these years would you still have hair??
Gordon NicholsGordon NicholsMassachusetts 1993 CMC Supporting Member
Paul wrote: "same concept as the oil pressure light, correct? "

Yeah, now that you mention it, from a "How to connect it up" standpoint, it's basically the same! +12 volts from the ignition somewhere under the dash to one side of the light, and the other side of the light goes to the "sender" - in this case, the D+ lead on top of the alternator.

Never thought of it like that, but you're right!

gn
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