on my 64 chevelle i have changed to a one wire alternator with the built in self exciter from the original ,my problem is i put the red wire on the alternator and i know there is something else i have to do but i am drawing a blank any help or diagram would be appreciated thanks ?

If it's a one-wire alternator there should be only one wire. Make sure it's big enough to carry the current.

Why do people want one wire alternators? Seems to me I read somewhere that one wire alternators are primarily for farm implements that don't have many electrical accessories. Is all this about the "cleaner look" of a one wire or is this about some valid technical upgrade / new capability above and beyond what is in a standard GM alternator.

your right but before i switched over i turned the key to on and my volt meter would give me a reading , but now it doesn"t move. i was wondering on the old regulator plug in do i have to jump two wires together ?

your right but before i switched over i turned the key to on and my volt meter would give me a reading , but now it doesn"t move. i was wondering on the old regulator plug in do i have to jump two wires together ?
How is the voltmeter wired? If it was tied in to the alternator wiring, no it wouldn't work with a one wire alternator. Wire it to the IGN terminal at fuse box.

The ammeter on the 64 bridges across a shunt.

Before you move things around, read this:

http://www.bracketracer.com/nova/shunt/shunt.htm

i do have it hooked to the fuse panel but what i see now i will get a shunt before i go any further on the one wire alternator. what i have read a three wire set up is much better and safer , does any one have a diagram on a three wire hook up ??

I bought a single wire unit and I wish I would have bought a 3 wire unit instead. HOWEVER, most single wire units I have seen have 2 other terminals that can be used to allow for a 3 wire configuration.

I guess one wire gets looped to the positive terminal on the alternator, the other uses a resistor in the circiut and either runs or comes from another source (like a relay or something) I was explained this in detail but didnt have any way to remember it all as I was at a car show at the time. But it is my understanding that you can use stuff like an idiot light with a single wire alternator. I plan to investagate this later when I get to that point on my 66.

does any one have a diagram on a three wire hook up ??
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/alternator_wiring_pic2.JPG

Thanks guys im all wired up with the three wire alternator and everything works great .

Did you use a 3 wire unit or just use your one wire and use all 3 terminals?