American Autowire Batt Wire

OstOgBajer · May 14, 2009

I got the American Autowire Classic Update kit for my 68 and I don't know where I'm supposed to connect the battery. Currently, the battery is connected to the starter solinoid, but the AAW instructions say the alternator and a red wire from the harness connect there (to the BAT terminal on the solinoid). I've looked through all the instructions and don't know where the battery connects to. I'm no electrition, hence my retarded question.

Any help? Thanks!

mccorry · May 14, 2009

The main (+) wire from the battery should go to the starter.
The main (-) wire fron the battery should go to the block.

If you're running a 1 wire alternator... then the other (+) wire should go from the battery to the rear post on the alternator).
If you're running an original external voltage regulator, then the wire from the harness (regulator) will connect to the (+) terminal of the battery.

This is probably the harness wire they're talking about.

Eric Kammerer · May 14, 2009

Yes, the positive battery cable still goes to the bat lug on the starter. AAW instructions probably don't show it because the battery cable is not part of the kit, and they probably think it is self-explanatory where the battery cable goes. The fact that the charging lead from the alternator goes to the starter lug and not the OE junction block on the rad support behind the battery is all the instructions are trying to show.

OstOgBajer · May 14, 2009

Ok, cool. Thanks.

Does anyone know what the thing is on the radiator support on the driver side between the radiator and the washer fluid? It has five or six wires coming out of the bottom and has a smooth top. Is this the voltage regulator? I can take a pic, but will have to wait to get my camera back. It doesn't look like the voltage regulators you can buy from Rick's or other places.

Also, how can I tell if my alternator is a later model that doesn't require an external voltage regulator? Are they all one wire?

TJS69 · May 14, 2009

You have answered your own question ! Yes, that is your voltage regulator. Being that you still have that, I would say No, your alternator is more than "1" wire. See how many wires are coming off your alternator !

OstOgBajer · May 15, 2009

Well there is only one wire coming off the alternator. I'm wondering if maybe he put in a new alt, but left the voltage regulator there. A lot of the wiring in this car was done half-assed, which is why I'm replacing it all. So one wire means I don't need that external regulator?

TJS69 · May 15, 2009

I will let some one more qualified, answer that question. Most newer alternators are internally regulated. The only 1-wire alternator that I used was on a race car and it was internally regulated. I do not know if they are all like that or not.

Steiner · May 15, 2009

OstOgBajer said:
Ok, cool. Thanks.

Does anyone know what the thing is on the radiator support on the driver side between the radiator and the washer fluid? It has five or six wires coming out of the bottom and has a smooth top. Is this the voltage regulator? I can take a pic, but will have to wait to get my camera back. It doesn't look like the voltage regulators you can buy from Rick's or other places.

Also, how can I tell if my alternator is a later model that doesn't require an external voltage regulator? Are they all one wire?

Probably the horn relay. It also serves as a power bus point.

deerhunter · May 15, 2009

If the "thing" on the radiator support you are talking about has 2 lugs with screws it is the horn relay that is used for the main junction. If it has a plug-in device that goes in sideways at the bottom it is the voltage regulator. Go to the MadElectric.com site and you will find tons of information about the alternators and GM wiring. If you still have questions, give them a call. The guy that runs it is quite knowledgeable(sp) and can/will answer all of your questions. The site has pictures and written information making it very easy to identify which alternator you currently have.

TJS69 · May 15, 2009

I think this is the site deerhunter is speaking of : http://www.madelectrical.com/index.shtml

OstOgBajer · May 16, 2009

Alright, well I found the alternator's model number, and it's a 94 amp internally regulated. And that box is the horn relay. PO did remove the voltage regulator. I found the wiring that was left hanging around from it.

Thanks for the help everyone.

American Autowire Batt Wire

OstOgBajer

mccorry

Eric Kammerer

OstOgBajer

TJS69

OstOgBajer

TJS69

Steiner

deerhunter

TJS69

OstOgBajer

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