Alternators....1 wire? 3 wire?

[Zeus33rd]

So I'm trying to figure out which of the Power Master 140 amp alternators to go with for my truggy.

It'll be set up with dual Optima's on the Hell Roaring dual battery kit for the winch, lights etc. Do I need/want a 1 wire or 3 wire? Whats the difference? Can someone explain the differences between the different cases? GM 10si, GM CS130, GM CS130D etc? Which case do I have? On the Summit website theres about 20 different Powermaster GM 140amp alternators....Which one do I want? This is the one I think I want-
http://store.summitracing.com/defau...earchinresults=false&N=0&target=egnsearch.asp
Will this thing bolt up to my brackets?

I'm totally ignorant as far as alternators and electrical stuff goes, so pardon all the questions. I've been researching and reading about this stuff so much my head hurts. Getting the truck ready for Blazer Fest next month, but mostly for Blazer Bash in Moab. I'll be damned if an alternator or some other stupid component ruins my fun when I'm 900 miles from home.

 

[dontoe]

I just researched this about a week ago and came up with the facts that a one wire works but not very well except in light duty applications. The three wire senses the load at the firewall junction which works alot better. I did a search for one wire alternators on Goggle and read for over an hour about the difference.

 

[chevy_addict]

Here's some good information on the differences between the 1 wire and 3 wire alternators

Dave

 

[BobK]

Joe,the MAD site is excellant reading and worded in a way a novice can understand.
http://www.madelectrical.com/index.shtml

Surf that site but here is the part on what the differences are between the 10si and 12si alts.
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/delcoremy.shtml

 

[ntsqd]

IME, the one wire alt's don't 'light off' at low RPM's, so low engine speed charging can be a problem. I guess the solution would be to speed up the alt's stator, sort of the opposite of what the drag guys are doing with their under drive pulleys.

 

[Zeus33rd]

Wow, thanks for the link to the MAD site. Lot's of easy to understand stuff there. Learned alot.