Can someone please explain to me the internal alternator conversion!!!!

Sorry ive read through similar posts and im getting a little lost. I suck at the electrical side of things.

Car is not charging properly. Recently replaced the regulator.

I have a 1967 buick lesabre with a stock alternator.

I have accessories im sure are putting more strain on the alt than it can produce.

How do i convert, (step by step if possible) to an internally regulated alternator? What alternator should i buy for this conversion?

Will a new alternator fit my stock brackets?

Please help thanks!

 

anyone??

 

Sorry ive read through similar posts and im getting a little lost. I suck at the electrical side of things.

Car is not charging properly. Recently replaced the regulator.

I have a 1967 buick lesabre with a stock alternator.

I have accessories im sure are putting more strain on the alt than it can produce.

How do i convert, (step by step if possible) to an internally regulated alternator? What alternator should i buy for this conversion?

Will a new alternator fit my stock brackets?

Please help thanks!

 

Man, don't have us chasing four threads on this please!!! One will do!

Devon

 

big show this weekend. you know how it goes ...

 

Great i read it through. Im sure ill have more questions later.

If i go to all parts or kragens and ask for the 12-SI, that should be enough for them to know?

Will this fit stock brackets in my 67?

 

one thing i am afraid of is using the wire from the back of the alternator to the battery. Ive done this in the past and it caused my battery to boil over!!!

Currently on my system the red wire goes from the back of the alternator into the harness. im assuming down to the starter or the ignition, does this remain as is and i add the wire from the prong to the red post, then an additional wire to the battery?

 

Takes time to dig this stuff out...

Good reading on why a 3-wire alternator with remote voltage sensing is what you want: http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech.shtml

Other good info here: http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/AlternatorConversions.htm

You can read what I did in this thread, post #'s 9 and 11:
http://v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=89134&highlight=alternator+voltage+regulator

Basically, if you look at the diagrams, going from an external regulator to an internal one - at the old regulator connector, you jump the F to the 4, and the 2 to the 3. I then put in a 12SI (see the mad electrical pages for info on part numbers, clocking, etc), replaced the alternator plug, and away I went.

Compare these two diagrams and you'll see how the regulator gets bypassed:
http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/images/AlternatorWiringOverview-1973to1985Buick.jpg
http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/images/AlternatorWiringOverview-1963to1972Buick.jpg

At the alternator, the old "F" terminal becomes the new "1" terminal, and the old "R" terminal becomes the new "2" terminal.

 

I just run the big red hot wire as-is, put the alt plug wires into the new alt connector (newer shape), then simply jump the connections at the old external regulator plug like this:

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/marlan_davis_technical_advise/photo_22.html

Devon

 

so dont pay attention to the other wire configurations like the horn relay and adding diodes and what not.

just jump the wires and swap the alt?

 

That will do it. Like James said in the other thread, "At the alternator, the old "F" terminal becomes the new "1" terminal, and the old "R" terminal becomes the new "2" terminal."

Later when you have time, you can open up the wiring harness and do a neater job of jumping the old regulator connections so you don't even have a pigtail reaching over to where it used to be. The diode may or may not be a need...I didn't need one on mine and haven't had an external regulator on since 1986 or so.

Devon

 

WOW. so, would the higher amp output be damaging to the system at all?

will this SI alt fit in my factoy brackets? i cant really fab anything up.

 

The alt will only deliver the current the system needs. A higher rating is ok, but some of the really high jobs have a larger case size.

Mine went on with all stock bracketry. Take your old one with you to match up the clock position between electrical terminals and mounting holes. Match up the same case size and you're good.

Devon

 

damn that easy? leave the red one as is, jump the others an plug in?

does this one self ground, my stock one currently has a ground wire.

SI's readily available? thanks again. godmanit i love this forum.

 

what car do i ask for to call up the alternator?

 

Some external regulator tech:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/remotevoltagesensing.shtml

Which alternator to ask for:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/delcoremy.shtml

"Tell the auto parts counter person that The alternator is for a 1985 Buick Riviera, 5.0L (307Y engine), with Heavy Duty options and Air Conditioning. "
Thats what I use on my 455, but reclocked.

Good luck and don't forget to disconnect the battery!

ElectraJim