rockcrawler304

I am rebuilding a sand rail which currently has a VW engine and I am at the wiring stage. It has been converted to an Alternator and I know the B+ post goes to the battery but everything I read about the D+ post says it must be wired to an indicator light and then to the ignition switch accessory port to make it charge. Is this true and if so, how do I get around this?

Fordzilla

Reaching back into memory here, that's the field wire...The circuit serves as an exciter for the alternator to work...It needs to be connected to a switched, ignition-on terminal...If, for some reason, you don't want the light you can use a resistor with the same properties......Ben

rockcrawler304

Thanks! Any idea what those resistor properties would be?

I'll do a little more research.

Spooler

I used a light on my 69 VW beetle when I converted it from generator to alternator.

Fordzilla

You'd need to measure a light with an ohmmeter for that answer...Why not just wire in a light so you'll know whether the alternator is functioning or not?......Ben

j_martin

Hook up the light. Just because it lights doesn't mean you have to look at it.

Incandescent lamps have a dynamic to their resistance. It goes up when they heat up.

rockcrawler304

If it is just that simple I have no problem hooking up a light. I do have a little green indicator light that I can mount.

Thanks for the replies!

Spooler

I left mine under the back seat. Didn't care to see it...

Jim Lane

Make sure you use an incandescant lamp and not an LED, like he said, lamps have a cold and hot resistance.

You need to match the type of lamp specs a newer mini lamp would have a different milliampere rating than an automotive indicator lamp.

Is it a Motorola, Bosch or chinese alternator?