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Re: Ignition Warning Light on with new alternator

To: sosnaenergyconsulting <sosnaenergyconsulting@cox.net>
Subject: Re: Ignition Warning Light on with new alternator
From: Larry Paulick <larry.p@erols.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 18:04:41 -0400
Dave, How did you know that my EE Instructor in School called Me Doofus. 
 Did he tell everyone?

Larry

sosnaenergyconsulting wrote:

>AAAAAARRRRRGH!  (sound of pulling hair).  I KNOW that between what Larry 
>said and what Steve said I should understand this--but I just don't get 
>it and I feel like a total DOOFUS!!!
>
>Between the two of you I'm sure I have enough info to take to Smitty so 
>he can wire it up for me.  Maybe then it'll make sense.
>
>Anyway, THANKS to both Larry and Steve--and everyone else who replied to 
>my query.
>
>You're a great bunch, and I really appreciate your help.
>
>Best Regards
>
>David
>
>Steve Laifman wrote:
>
>  
>
>>Larry has delivered the goods. He has told you how you wire a "1 wire" 
>>alternator to give you a warning light. Easy as cake, simple as pie.
>>
>>Now, there are still a bunch of folk out there who won't believe it 
>>works, just because someone told them it did. They seem to want the 
>>'scientific explanation' to "believe".  Well, I believe Larry. BUT, for 
>>those that want the nitty gritty, without the relativity theory, or 
>>black holes, here it is.
>>
>>There is no ground!
>>
>>Yup. That's the deep dark secret. The other side of that idiot light 
>>goes to the battery when the key is in the "run" position, like most 
>>other switched stuff. When the alternator is not putting out as much 
>>voltage as the battery, the current flows through the light to the 
>>alternator's 1 wire, and thence to a lower potential (voltage), What do 
>>you get? Light!.
>>
>>OK, the alternator starts to turn and generate voltage. That voltage 
>>goes through the light to the battery. The light dims until the 
>>alternator voltage matches the battery voltage. Then the light has no 
>>current flow from a voltage difference and goes out.
>>
>>Now the cop-out. I'll leave it to Theo Smit to explain why it doesn't go 
>>back on again when the alternator output voltage exceeds the battery 
>>voltage for charging.  Bet it has something to do with a diode, though. :-)
>>
>>Steve
>>
>>Larry Paulick wrote:
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>>>Gary, you guys are the EE, Sparky experts, they just give us CE's a 
>>>hammer, and tell us to go at it.
>>>
>>>The hook up is charging wire from alternator to solenoid/battery 
>>>connection, and the one wire to red warning light and then to #2 on 
>>>ignition switch.
>>>
>>>It works.  I also use a volt meter.
>>>
>>>I still can't figure out how the wiring diagram on the flash to pass 
>>>circuitry that Theo did for me.   Something is not right there but it 
>>>works.
>>>
>>>Larry
>>>
>>>PS - I felt good and that my EE days were over when the Heath Kit 
>>>stereo worked.

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