Thread: Help wiring GM alternator to Altmeter

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Have a fresh built 350 sbc on test stand. Old point ignition,
Delco Remy GM #10 alternator. I have a simple on and off switch
and a push button starter. It starts right up every time. Would
like to know proper way to wire the alternator to a altimeter.
The alternator has one big post and two prongs. Thanks

Originally Posted by rdobbs

Would like to know proper way to wire the alternator to a altimeter. The alternator has one big post and two prongs. Thanks

An alternator to an altimeter? That's a new one..... Looks like the dreaded AutoCorrect may have worked it's magic?

WHEW! Maybe that explains it? 'cause I can't figure out what an altimeter is other than the one in a plane displaying altitude.

Yeah, I saw that last night too, anyway, I.m going to assume you meant amp meter.

Here is a link to the typical wiring for an amp meter.

https://www.google.com/search?q=wiri...PnGocrtEc_M%3A


If you need to know how to wire the alternator the first thing you need to look at are the 2 prongs so you know which alternator you have. Iif they are like this l l the alternator requires an external regulator which will take a bit more wiring in addition to the regulator. If they are like this _ _ it's an internal regulator unit is a bit easier to wire.


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Originally Posted by rspears

An alternator to an altimeter? That's a new one..... Looks like the dreaded AutoCorrect may have worked it's magic?

Rdobbs, I wasn't trying to be a smart a$$, it just struck me funny to see "altimeter" given my old NavAir background. I'll offer that the old school Amp Meter is not seen much any more, nor is the charge/discharge "idiot light" that replaced it. A Volt Meter is used more often today, and really tells you more about the overall health of the electrical system than the old Amp Meter, IMO.

Already have a volt meter. Excuse me for not properly identifying the
gauge. I knew I was doing something wrong. By the way I'm 72 years
old, just trying to help my son out, and am taking medicine for altimers.
so my mind isn't what it use to be. Thanks to all.

Thanks Denny. I think this diagram should do it. My volt meter
only shows about 11.5 volts with engine running and that sounds
a little low to me. My wanting the amp meter is exactly the reason
you have one. I've wired several of these amp meters in my day
on cars and tractors, but just out of practice I guess.

Welcome to CHR!


Check the voltage across the battery terminals with the engine running. A properly functioning alternator will maintain battery voltage between 13.9 and 14.8 volts (14.4 is optimum). Worst-case (with all the car’s accessories turned on) there should be at least 13 volts at the battery. Be sure that the engine is running at a high enough rpm for the charging system to function (especially if running a one-wire alternator). 11.5 is not enough. If the belt is not slipping any engine speed above 1,000 RPM should produce the necessary voltage. Good news is that GM alternators are fairly reasonable to replace in terms of cost and effort.

Let us know what you find and once again, Welcome.
Glenn

Good reading!! MadElectrical.com - Electrical Tech Pete

Ever since the amp meter in my mom's car burst into flames and destroyed the car, I have been adamantly against amp gauges.

If you must run an amps gauge then get one which reads a voltage drop across a shunt. That way the entire current load is not running through the gauge.