Who knows alternators? Looking for authoritative info about turning it ON or OFF

[skewbe]

If I were so motivated to do this internally, I would disconnect the positive side of the field and hook it up to any convient battery+ through a switch. Then you only have to add one wire to your alternator.

[MetroMPG]

Makes sense, but I was hoping for a quick fix for the rest of the winter. That's a fair weather mod - have to re&re the alternator to do it.

edit: was looking for a quick, easily reversible fix.

[JanGeo]

Looks like the field winding gets grounded by the regulator to energize the field winding. The two wires going to the ignition and idot light are used to operate the idot light so that it doesn't blink when the engine is being shut down and so it does light when the ignition key is turned on with the engine NOT started yet - otherwise it would be on all the time? Nowyou inderstand why I think it would be easier to supliment the battery power from another power source and leave the existing charging circuit alone.

[usedgeo]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Does anyone have some authority on the subject of alternators? If I find the field wire, is it as simple as adding a switch?

I like this link for general information on alternators. Years ago I used to work as a mechanic but found this quite informative.

http://www.1stconnect.com/anozira/Si...alternator.htm

Ernie