What you *can do* is wire a three-wire alternator to function with only one wire, effectively mimicking a one-wire system. However, this loses the benefits of the three-wire system, primarily more precise voltage regulation. This means your battery could be overcharged, leading to shorter battery life and potentially damaging other components.
Here's how you would wire a three-wire alternator to function as a *simplified* one-wire system (not recommended):
1. Identify the wires: You'll need to identify the three wires coming from the alternator. This typically involves:
* Battery terminal (B+): This is the large, usually thicker wire. This is the power output.
* Sense terminal (S): This wire is often smaller and provides voltage feedback to the regulator.
* Field terminal (F): This wire provides power to the alternator's rotor (field winding) and is controlled by the regulator.
2. Connect the Battery Terminal (B+): Connect the B+ terminal directly to the battery's positive terminal.
3. Connect the Field Terminal (F): Connect the Field terminal (F) directly to the battery's positive terminal. This bypasses the external regulator.
4. Ignore the Sense Terminal (S): Leave the sense terminal unconnected.
Why this is not recommended:
* Overcharging: Without the proper voltage regulation provided by the three-wire system's external regulator, the alternator will likely overcharge the battery.
* Inconsistent voltage: The voltage output will vary greatly depending on engine speed and load, leading to erratic performance of electrical systems.
* Reduced alternator lifespan: Constant overcharging will significantly reduce the lifespan of your alternator and battery.
The better solution:
If you want a simpler setup, find a one-wire alternator designed for your vehicle. Retrofitting a three-wire alternator to function as a one-wire system is a compromise that sacrifices crucial voltage regulation for apparent simplicity, leading to potential damage and shorter lifespans for your battery and alternator. The small amount of wiring saved isn't worth the risks.
