Changing wiring on alternator (I searched)
 

I have an engine from a 1983 300TD that I stuffed into an old Toyota
4Runner. (the Benz was totalled) I went to the salvage yard and found the correct alternator plug and retainer.

From my searches, I found that the two matching wires on the plug originally ran to the starter (that connected to the battery). Rather than do that, since my alternator is really close to the battery now, can I just run those two wires directly to the battery?

Or, does the starter-connection play some role in the battery-charging circuit?

What do I do with the third wire?

Thanks very much for any help.

Roy

The sinny 3rd wire is the wire that goes to the charging light. Without the little bit of resistance from that light bulb your Anternator will not charge; you have to have it.
The next time you are at the junk yard grab a charging light bulb and the bulb holder.
If the Toyota already has a charging (idiot light) it may be possible to use the same wiring setup but you will need to find out how many amps the different bulbs will pull.
Or alternatively measure the ohms of each type of bulb.

As long as the other 2 wires were connected to the + wires that go to the battery you can hook them directly to the battery.
In a past thread I ask why there were 2 wires that went to the same place and the only answer I could get was a speculative; they used 2 wires so the would not have to use 1 large one.

Or buy a real alternator, that one is lame even if it is working properly, one set of decent off-road lights and you're running off the battery.

There is a decent upgrade alternator on some SAAB cars for the V-belt version (yours), search AL129 and I think that will find the alternator threads.

Yes, the two small wires are there instead of one large one.

AL-129-X Alternator
 

Do a search on the AL-129-X alternator, it is 115amp`s. tons of reading.
a good one is

www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=93569

Charlie

Here is some text that is at the very end of an article concerning Bosch Alternators.

"In the Bosch system, the size of the charge warning lamp bulb is critical. Too low a wattage bulb will not supply enough field current for "bootstrap" operation to be reliable. The Bosch book that I have states that the lamps must be at least 2 watts for 12 volt systems. If you have replaced your charge warning lamp recently, then too small a lamp may be your culprit."

The "bootstrap" operation the article speaks of is getting the Alternator to start charging.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll go for the AL129 right from the start. I have a winch, and I'm sure the extra power will be needed.

Thanks again.

Roy

Yes, AL129, sorry. I edited my post.