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Sun Sep 27, 2009 1:47 pm

okay. Im short on time. i have been dealing with this electrical issue for a while. Wiring is not my friend.

I ripped out all the old wiring. It was chewed through in 2 different places by rats, im guessing. Got all the wiring done and working, then the generator took a crap. Finished installing an alternator kit from cip1 yesterday. Dont have a wiring diagram anymore either. I have power from battery to starter to B+ terminal on alternator. Thats IT!

This seems like an easy fix. I need power to ignition switch.
1. What connects to the D+ terminal on alternator. ?
2. i have a 10gauge wire from ignition. Where does that go? i used to run it to the generator.....

I have a bug manual, and a baja bugs and buggies book. But they're both in Az. IM in the process of moving and left them for a while.

Just tell me where these wires go! thanks.!!

mike

Sun Sep 27, 2009 1:51 pm

if this alternator only has 2 connections

big wire to battery
little wire to idiot light

Sun Sep 27, 2009 2:02 pm

i have no idiot light. I will get one.

I have one wire from starter to B+ on alt.
Second wire from starter to ignition switch has no power.
I used to run 10 gauge wire from generator terminal to ignition switch also.

Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:40 pm

Here is basics..... This elemental to ALL bug, buggy wiring.........

Dale

Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:50 pm

sorry to hi-jack the thread but whats the idiot light for?

Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:08 pm

bizmarkie wrote: sorry to hi-jack the thread but whats the idiot light for?

To initiate the operation of the alternator and to let the driver or whoever, know that it is in operation.

Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:28 pm

thanks for that diagram. Thats the one i had everything setup off of. And still nothing work. 6 hours later and another brain we finally figured it out. Basically i was short 1 wire to the starter and had all the wires ass-backwards on the key switch. Then the carb float got stuck and dumped fuel in the motor.

All in all the wiring is fixed!

Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:46 am

Nicksan wrote: bizmarkie wrote: sorry to hi-jack the thread but whats the idiot light for?

To initiate the operation of the alternator and to let the driver or whoever, know that it is in operation.

Doesw that hold true for the generator's too?

Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:12 am

NO.... BUT it is also a good indicator you have lost fan belt and therefor lost your cooling...........

Dale

Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:14 am

whitemike wrote: thanks for that diagram. Thats the one i had everything setup off of. And still nothing work. 6 hours later and another brain we finally figured it out. Basically i was short 1 wire to the starter and had all the wires ass-backwards on the key switch. Then the carb float got stuck and dumped fuel in the motor.

All in all the wiring is fixed!

Some days are like that......

Dale

Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:55 am

the idiot light is in the path to the field winding of an alternator, which is an electromagnet. Alternators use an electromagnet, generators use permanent magnets.

the current through the field winding is changed by a regulator to meet system demands. more demands, more current, brighter light.

Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:00 am

so its good to have one just incase if the alternator fails?...
so i should have a switch to turn on and off my alternator?

Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:51 am

bizmarkie wrote: so its good to have one just incase if the alternator fails?...
so i should have a switch to turn on and off my alternator?

Not quite......... Have a lamp wired from IGN terminal on ignition switch (or toggle switch) through lamp and on to D+ at alternator, just as in picture... Besides if you don't, alternator is not going to work....

Key or toggle switch on, power to coil and alt, key or switch off, no power to coil or alternator...

Dale

Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:54 am

sorry to hijack, but i am wondering, if i dont have an idiot light will my headlights not work?

Sat Oct 03, 2009 11:17 am

IF you have non functioning generator or alternator you lights will work right up to point battery goes dead........

Dale

Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:59 pm

Guys, A friend of mine need a hand with wiring his alternator up. He has one with a External regulator on it. It has the post you run to the starter, a big spade and and small spade. Here's a pic
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Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:40 pm

If picture was a little more in focus, it would be easier to tell what he needs.... It appears its actually what is refered to as a "2 wire" alternator with internal regulator (actually mounted on outside)....

Wiring for "2 Wire" alternator (AL-82)

Wiring for "4 wire" alternator (AL-78)

Dale

Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:48 pm

Thats what he emailed to me for a picture. It's in a TUB Buggy and hard to get a good picture....If you look he has a wire running from a Post style connector to the starter. That leaves 2 spade terminals on top 1 small and 1 regular size

Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:23 am

Just to share a bit of my headache from last night. Make sure your idiot light is a bulb and not an led. I haven't ordered a set of idiot lights for my dash so i temporarily wired up my alternator to a light that came with my ignition switch.

I was tearing my hair out until i read a description of what that light does by Dale M. in another thread. The light was not drawing enough power to "excite" the alternator. After closer inspection i saw that it was an LED and as soon as i threw the alternator on a back light from another gauge it worked perfectly.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:47 am

CLSkier wrote: Just to share a bit of my headache from last night. Make sure your idiot light is a bulb and not an led. I haven't ordered a set of idiot lights for my dash so i temporarily wired up my alternator to a light that came with my ignition switch.

I was tearing my hair out until i read a description of what that light does by Dale M. in another thread. The light was not drawing enough power to "excite" the alternator. After closer inspection i saw that it was an LED and as soon as i threw the alternator on a back light from another gauge it worked perfectly.

LED pilot lamps (dash indicator lamps) can be made to work..... It takes a added resistor and a diode..... Found this solution out there on the internet...

Green symbol is actually LED, person just forgot to draw in arrows in symbol...

'nother example...

Dale