Alternator wiring help

[80chriscraftski]

So could someone explain to me what type of terminals/posts are on the rear of a alternator and what typically hooks up to them if they are labeld as the following

Volt, sensor

Ac Tap

Neg (obviously ground)

Pos (obviously battery - but should this be wired to the starter selenoid)

Reg

Exc

I have 3 wires that go to the altenator. My old alternator did not have the terminals/posts labeld. Since I have an updated/new alternator that will work its not the exact model as the old alternator.

the 3 wires come from
1. the igition,
2. the starter selenoid
3. distributor.

thanks in advance

[gonzo]

AC tap is usually for a tachometer
exc goes to the ignition to make the alternator charge
reg goes to the output on the regulator. It makes it charge until a preset voltage is reached.

[pistnbroke]

must be a very old alternator if it has an external regulator never seen one with a connection to the distributer ( as in cap leads coil and contacts)

Dont think gonzo has it right .you told us whats on the alternator ...whats on the regulator ?

Volt /sensor goes to battery positive ..thin wire senses battery volts ..usually comes from the regulator

AC sometime called W for windings is an ac feed for the tacho

Reg would go to the regualator ( feed for slip rings /brushes )

Exc goes to the warning light not direct to ignition ..

If we knew the make or had a photo we could be 100% certain


your list of wires ....Ign ...do you mean warning light ?
starter solenoid ...this is your live feed to the battery ..12v +
distributer .....check that again ....

[gonzo]

I shoud have explained the exc better. It gets powered through the idiot light.

[pistnbroke]

that would be why french cars never had an ignition warning light ..everyone but the french are idiots ....

[80chriscraftski]

Originally Posted by pistnbroke

must be a very old alternator if it has an external regulator never seen one with a connection to the distributer ( as in cap leads coil and contacts)

Dont think gonzo has it right .you told us whats on the alternator ...whats on the regulator ?

Volt /sensor goes to battery positive ..thin wire senses battery volts ..usually comes from the regulator

AC sometime called W for windings is an ac feed for the tacho

Reg would go to the regualator ( feed for slip rings /brushes )

Exc goes to the warning light not direct to ignition ..

If we knew the make or had a photo we could be 100% certain


your list of wires ....Ign ...do you mean warning light ?
starter solenoid ...this is your live feed to the battery ..12v +
distributer .....check that again ....

As far as Ign, Im not sure I havent followed it all the way yet. I just know if I dont connect it Ign will not kick over the motor.

So R U saying that I should wire the starter solenoid wire directly to the Battery? I belive I already have a 4 gauge going from the battery to the selenoid. Then I have this smaller wire connected at the same juncion as the 4 gauge that was then routed to the alternator.

Yes there is a wire that is coming from the distributor that connected to the old alternators (actually regulators lead) Which I was told was the exc. ternimal.

[pistnbroke]

what is normally done is that there is a lead from the battery positive to the starter solenoid....main feed for starter ...from the same bolt on the starter solenoid a wire goes to the alternator B+ as well as others for feeds to the rest of the electrical system of the boat .
Still dont get the distributer bit ...unless its a live feed looped off the distibuter electronics ...if it has any .....