Topic: gm 1 wire alternator

[81 shortbed]

I've had a charging problem on my 81 since I bought it. messed with it some but never got it right. a couple weeks ago I swapped to a gm 1 wire. I ran the hot wire to the starter post and the ground to the frame. the alternator is new and is only putting out 11.5-12 volts. my question is- did I wire this right? I could have got a bad alt but want to make sure I got it wired properly before I take the alt off to get tested. 

[megaphoneman]

Rev it and measure, isnt that the problem with one wires? It wont kick in till higher rpms..


Blaaaahhhhhhhh

[81 shortbed [OP]]

i'll try that. did I wire it correctly?

[OVRAROK]

when I buy alt from parts store, I will have them test it right then, more than one time have they tried to sell defective part. that way you can rule out alt as being problem

[toyodaaddict]

check out madelectrical.com they have a fantastic write up, all the info you need.

[66cobra]

i have a 4.3 swap and have a gm style  1 wire from power master, 200 amp wired direct to battery which has never had problem. running it 3 years. the alt charge @ 1200 below that output low. has to do with the internal switching.

[Stew_pedaso]

Why did you need the ground if it's 1 wire alt. mine is straight to the battery. Holds 13.1 at idle and 14.1 with a little rev

[VincentVanPwn3d]

Hot wire to starter? It should have one power wire going from the alternator to the battery and the alternator should be grounded to the motor through the alternator bracket. The motor should be grounded to the firewall. Check and clean sand your grounds. But you probably toasted your starter if you wired it to it.