Okay excuse this if it is a dumb question, but other than the differences in appearence (I can at least spot the diffrnces between the two) functionally what are the differences between a single field altntr like I have now, and a dual field altntr?? I was told that a dual field can be used on my truck by grounding one of the wires on the dual field atntr. It seems like I saw a post regarding this subject earlier but cannot find thxs for any enlightenment that may be forthcoming. -Spin

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Project B-52 Crew

I've heard that too, but never tried it.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

It works, I have grounded them in the past.

Grounding one of the fields works fine, but you don't take full advantage of the superior charging ability of these alternators. On the other hand, you get one piece ready in place for when you upgrade to electronic ignition and the "flat pack" voltage regulator!

Which field do you ground?? Or does it matter?? I am getting ready to install a new Painless wiring harness, it has instructions for both the dual field and single field setup, would it be better to just change over to dual field at that time?? This thing has given me nothing but grief over altntrs and voltage regltrs, it seems like it is always something. Would the dual field setup be any more reliablee?? -Spin

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Project B-52 Crew

Grief you say? How about you eliminate the regulator all together and get an internally regulated one wire alternator? All you have to do is mount it, run one heavier gauge wire between alternator and battery+, and voila presto chango magico its done. Last I remember one wire version, chromed, was going for $160 at summit.

It doesn't matter which pin you use. If you have the wiring harness you might as well convert over. I know most of the part stores don't carry the single field alternators anymore.

I am thinking about doing the single wire GM alternator myself. I will be in need of more system amperage shortly.

Will the bracket on our engine support a GM atntr, is a change neccsry there as well? -Spin

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Project B-52 Crew

No you can't use a stock gm alternator without a bit of bracket building. The GM case alternator I have, instead of having two seperate ears on the bottom where the bracket on the block would fit between, it has one solid long ear. I will get a picture of how I adpated the alternator to fit. I put in a 200a powermaster (gm case..) alternator in.

Edit:
Here are the pictures.



3 pieces of metal, about 1.5-2" long, with a hole at each end, combined with a bunch of washers to align it properly and voila In the future I may remake the stock top bracket connecting to the head out of the same thick metal so it will be a stiffer fit. I had to shave the pulley a bit because the belt was sitting too deep in the groove and the sides were being chewed up. I haven't ran the motor yet since I shaved the pulley (about 1/16") becaue it has been in various states of disassembly but hopefully soon I can fire it up.

has anyone ever compared the weight of a mopar alternator and a 1 wire I picked up a 1 wire at the store the other day and it seemed quite a bit lighter.

Cool pics....would it be worth the difference to get a MOPAR piece from the dealer?? I am constantly amazed at the engineering abilities of A*#!zones suppliers, they can build something that stays together just long enough to get it out their door, onto my truck whereupon it soon turns to s*#t !! N#*A always claims they can't get it or if they can they won't sell it to me?! Looking for a good parts supply place in MEM -Spin

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Project B-52 Crew

The highest mopar style I've seen is 100a or so.

That would be fine as I plan on adding some lights, etc. that will require more power.

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Project B-52 Crew

I run a late model Ram 1500 alternator with duel field, installs and works great as for the single wire model it is necessary to excite the alternator before it will start charging. Don't care to hold pedal to increase rpms on a cold motor.

Excite? I never heard that, the one on my car starts charging as soon as the engine starts spinning on its own.