Hello everyone!
My current alternator doesn't seem to work (there ain't no voltage at it's connectors). I was wondering what characteristics should i know to choose an alternator? I of course, would like to get a cheap one so i'll look into the modern models which are plenty and cheap.
And another question, in a 3wire alternator, the two (senders?) wire should go to a place where the voltage drop occurs. Is that right?
thanks for your help

Marc

What year car? What style regulator flatpack or mech? The dual field squareback alternator is commonly available and cheap and extremely durable. The two smaller guage wires are known as the field wires. It's been a couple years since I rewired one so I really don't remember the specifics but I think one wire goes to the regulator and the other goes to switched ign hot. But I could be mistaken it has been awhile.

If all you've done is determined there's no voltage at the "connectors" (which ones?), you haven't yet determined that you need a new alternator. You very well might just need a new regulator. What year and model car is this, and is the charging system stock or modified?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Well, actuallly, i just checked if there was voltage on the two small gage wires and i lack a voltage regulator so that might be the problem. Do i really need a regulator or are the two wires supposed to do the job?

You need a regulator. And we still need to know what year vehicle.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

oups... sorry, forgot about that.
68 Dart! And the alternator i have now is a valeo but i don't know about the precise model (must check theses days).
What do i risk running without a regulator?
Thanks for your help

Marc

It's not that you risk something without an alternator...it's that the alternator won't work without one!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Ok, just got a few infos on alternators from the net, i see my problem much better now. I'll open my alternator this weekend and see if something is burnt or anything.
Still, one question : can i use any voltage regulator or is there one for each alternator?
thanks for your help.

Marc