tigers
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Ignition Warning Light on with new alternator

To: Larry Paulick <larry.p@erols.com>
Subject: Re: Ignition Warning Light on with new alternator
From: sosnaenergyconsulting <sosnaenergyconsulting@cox.net>
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 15:54:30 -0700
Thanks, Larry--I needed that :-)

Regards

David

Larry Paulick wrote:

> Dave, How did you know that my EE Instructor in School called Me Doofus. 
>  Did he tell everyone?
> 
> Larry
> 
> sosnaenergyconsulting wrote:
> 
>>AAAAAARRRRRGH!  (sound of pulling hair).  I KNOW that between what Larry 
>>said and what Steve said I should understand this--but I just don't get 
>>it and I feel like a total DOOFUS!!!
>>
>>Between the two of you I'm sure I have enough info to take to Smitty so 
>>he can wire it up for me.  Maybe then it'll make sense.
>>
>>Anyway, THANKS to both Larry and Steve--and everyone else who replied to 
>>my query.
>>
>>You're a great bunch, and I really appreciate your help.
>>
>>Best Regards
>>
>>David
>>
>>Steve Laifman wrote:
>>
>>  
>>
>>>Larry has delivered the goods. He has told you how you wire a "1 wire" 
>>>alternator to give you a warning light. Easy as cake, simple as pie.
>>>
>>>Now, there are still a bunch of folk out there who won't believe it 
>>>works, just because someone told them it did. They seem to want the 
>>>'scientific explanation' to "believe".  Well, I believe Larry. BUT, for 
>>>those that want the nitty gritty, without the relativity theory, or 
>>>black holes, here it is.
>>>
>>>There is no ground!
>>>
>>>Yup. That's the deep dark secret. The other side of that idiot light 
>>>goes to the battery when the key is in the "run" position, like most 
>>>other switched stuff. When the alternator is not putting out as much 
>>>voltage as the battery, the current flows through the light to the 
>>>alternator's 1 wire, and thence to a lower potential (voltage), What do 
>>>you get? Light!.
>>>
>>>OK, the alternator starts to turn and generate voltage. That voltage 
>>>goes through the light to the battery. The light dims until the 
>>>alternator voltage matches the battery voltage. Then the light has no 
>>>current flow from a voltage difference and goes out.
>>>
>>>Now the cop-out. I'll leave it to Theo Smit to explain why it doesn't go 
>>>back on again when the alternator output voltage exceeds the battery 
>>>voltage for charging.  Bet it has something to do with a diode, though. :-)
>>>
>>>Steve
>>>
>>>Larry Paulick wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>    
>>>
>>>>Gary, you guys are the EE, Sparky experts, they just give us CE's a 
>>>>hammer, and tell us to go at it.
>>>>
>>>>The hook up is charging wire from alternator to solenoid/battery 
>>>>connection, and the one wire to red warning light and then to #2 on 
>>>>ignition switch.
>>>>
>>>>It works.  I also use a volt meter.
>>>>
>>>>I still can't figure out how the wiring diagram on the flash to pass 
>>>>circuitry that Theo did for me.   Something is not right there but it 
>>>>works.
>>>>
>>>>Larry
>>>>
>>>>PS - I felt good and that my EE days were over when the Heath Kit 
>>>>stereo worked.

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>