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One Wire Alternator

Endangered Species

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It's not looking like I'm going to have the car ready for Norwalk... so I'm going to make all the changes I've been wanting to do for years. One thing I'm going to do is put an alternator on the car.
What is the best one wire alternator out there for the money?
What Amps should I go with? 55 - 85 or 120+?


Thanks!
 
One that will handle your normal load at an idle eg lights wipers radio fan
 
Sorry I should have clarified... It's just a drag car, so I have my ignition, starter, lights (only at night). Fan, water pump, and two Holley black fuel pumps.

Thanks for the reply.
 
I would say the same advice applies as posted above. Just because the accessories are different doesn't make the advice void.
 
I would call a few of the alternator places and ask them. I haven't researched alternators in a long time, so not sure what is currently out there?
Back when I upgraded mine, I went with a Denso unit because they were rated to handle 14,000 RPM. With running the engine to near 7,000 RPM, and having close to a 2:1 ratio pulley setup, the alternator RPM and pulley ratio was more a factor than rated output.
 
Fans, water pump, fuel pump, MSD, and maybe headlights on my Charger added up to 60-75 amps. An 80 amp alternator didn't cut it. I wound up with a 140 amp single wire "Summit Racing" alternator. Even with a smaller crank pulley it works pretty well (after 2 seasons). I still charge the battery during long breaks, though.

Bryand
 
I dont like the single wire. It's much easier to run a thin trigger wire from the field connection to the on/off switch than the full alternator output feed. Plus they charge better. Mid 90s 110amp truck alternators bolt right on. Same wiring as 70 and up factory Mopar.
Doug
 
The other factor that you need to be aware of is the wiring you have. It must be able to handle the added load current. Here is a quick reference for you:

413933CF-0D0B-47A3-86E3-93E697B71AE9.jpeg
 
Moparfeind makes an excellent point. I wired mine with #8 wire directly to the battery and connected it at the battery with an 80 amp Maxi-Fuse.

Bryand
 
Moparfeind makes an excellent point. I wired mine with #8 wire directly to the battery and connected it at the battery with an 80 amp Maxi-Fuse.

Bryand
Like you I also wired a Denso too the battery with #8 wire with fuse and never had any problems. During long down time, I have a charger in the trailer.
Bob :moparsmiley:
 
Thanks for all the information. this defiantly give me a foundation. I guess I'm trying to decide if I want a 3 wire or just go with the single wire and keep it simple.
 
I also run a Powermaster this will be its 5th season. Now problems yet.
 
I ran a 4 awg cable from the alternator power lug to the battery and another 4 awg from the alternator case to a ground lug on the frame rail in preparation for an one wire alternator.

The ground cable is to suppose to give the negative AC signal a cleaner path to ground which is suppose to provide a cleaner DC signal and prevent AC whine. I haven't heard any AC whine from the radio since doing the mod, so it must be working. I always crack a smile when I remember back to reusing the old alternator cable as the ground for my fuel pump (the cable was from a modern engine harness kit and I needed a 10 awg cable!). And of course, I completely bypassed the ammeter.

The alternator regulator circuit is wired off the coil and will be completely removed when the alternator is upgraded. That will be sooner than later because the EFI, 3 fans, MSD ignition, fuel pump, H4 headlights, and radio are overwhelming the little 60 amp alternator (that little guy is somewhere between the legal age to buy beer and renting a car). I also want to add two more fans for oil and power steering cooling and about 1200 watts car audio amps.

I'm ordering this 165 amp alternator this weekend:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwm-8-58529/overview/make/dodge

It's the best value for the money I found and it's black!

20190611_185903.jpg
 
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Damn there are endless options just from Powermaster alone.. lol

Thanks again for all the input!
 
We just put the power Master 100 amp 1 wire alt on my sons Dart. We like it because it looks like a stock Mopar alt and has the internal reg of course. It works great and we also ran a new 4 gauge power wire from the alt to the battery as we bypassed the amp meter and use a voltmeter. Ron
 
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