Alternator Wiring

[Rollyn Trueblood]

On the original equipment alternator, there are two wires hooked up - the positive wire and the exciter.

On the API, perhaps its the M****, I bought from you, there are a bunch of labled wire points. One is labled AC - hot, one is labled Display Light, one is labled Negative. Then there is the Positve and the Exciter.

Assuming I can ignore the AC-Hot and the Display Light, do I have to rig a negative connection to my grounding system, directly to the Negative battery pole, to a bolt on the engine, or none of the above?

Best wishes,
Rollyn

[lhbradley]

My aftermarket alternator (a Balmar) also has a negative terminal - a reasonably large screw. I connect it via a heavy wire (same as the postive wire) to the engine block. The original Motorola didn't have this, as I recall.

The alternator case is probably still grounded, (Balmar sells special ones that are not grounded), so i suspect this is a belt and suspenders ground. Being a belt and suspenders guy, I grounded mine.

[Don Moyer]

Rollyn,

It's not usually necessary to ground a standard alternator unless the mounting bracket on the engine is badly corroded. The connection to ground through the bracket is usually sufficient.

Don