SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: USCvictory on July 19, 2012, 06:29:27 AM

Title: 3 or 1 wire alternator
Post by: USCvictory on July 19, 2012, 06:29:27 AM
The lake I live on has a long stretch of no wake zone. That's where I spend 80% of my time when I take my boat out on it. After installing  my system I've noticed that being at idle doesn't help charge much. I'm pretty sure it is a low amp alternator. i am going to order a 105amp. Which one is better for charging at idle?
Title: Re: 3 or 1 wire alternator
Post by: Your Mom on July 19, 2012, 07:26:05 AM
How many batts do you have? If you have room, 3 is a good idea for a big system. 2 ran together for stereo and 1 for boat. I have 2 29 marine from walmart with a nice system and can go all weekend. I even considered a solar charger while out...but haven't needed that yet.
Title: Re: 3 or 1 wire alternator
Post by: USCvictory on July 19, 2012, 08:10:47 AM
How many batts do you have? If you have room, 3 is a good idea for a big system. 2 ran together for stereo and 1 for boat. I have 2 29 marine from walmart with a nice system and can go all weekend. I even considered a solar charger while out...but haven't needed that yet.

I have 2. I have a 29 and a 31 with a switch. It'll go all day no problem but, I've noticed that it doesn't charge much if at all at idle and It's my understanding that a 3 wire will charge at idle (that's what I have now just low amp) and a 1 wire will not. I have just a 2 channel amp and 2 6x9's. nothing special.
Title: Re: 3 or 1 wire alternator
Post by: ka0tyk on July 19, 2012, 11:47:29 AM
a single wire needs a little "unf" to get it to start charging whereas a 3 wire will be charging at all rpms. one isnt better than the other other than that. i have a 3 wire on mine and im at 14v always. a little bit more wiring but nothing crazy.
Title: Re: 3 or 1 wire alternator
Post by: USCvictory on July 19, 2012, 01:05:48 PM
Thanks for the info. I have a 3 wire now so the wiring should be straight across. Just going to a higher output alternator.
Title: Re: 3 or 1 wire alternator
Post by: HaulsBalls on July 19, 2012, 01:19:38 PM
I have a 3-wire and it's wired as a 1-wire, super easy to do and it will charge at idle.  That's the way to go if you have a constant drain on your battery like a large stereo.
Title: Re: 3 or 1 wire alternator
Post by: USCvictory on July 19, 2012, 01:25:29 PM
I have a 3-wire and it's wired as a 1-wire, super easy to do and it will charge at idle.  That's the way to go if you have a constant drain on your battery like a large stereo.

I'll Google up a diagram to do that. Is their a benefit to doing that as opposed to keeping it a 3 wire?
Title: Re: 3 or 1 wire alternator
Post by: Your Mom on July 19, 2012, 06:30:48 PM
I ran 4g good amp wire from alt to batt on my 56...big system in there with 100 amp alt and one batt. In my boat I did 8g good amp wire  from alt to the starter. You could run 4g as it helped a bit going bigger than the 10 which is the norm. 
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