Astro Alternator Cs130d Exciter Charge Circuit

My brand new alternator on my 4.3 Chevy swap wont charge.

I have a Howell wiring harness for this swap. It has a wire that says 12Vdc lamp to sw12.

I am assuming this needs to have a 12 volt light connected to a 12v light and then to a switched terminal to sense voltage and excite the alternator. Should this be on the start or run side of the ignition switch or another place?

Must I wire in a light? Does it require the resistance?

 

I don't really remember, since I usually just wire these up in a one wire configuration, but yes, I believe that you *need* the bulb. Usually its the CHG or ALT bulb in the instrument cluster, that you wire it to. But I'm positive somebody else will chime in that actually knows.

 

I clearly am not using the instrument cluster, but I kept most of the wiring harness. Howell instructions are not very clear, SURPRISE! This alternator has only one wire, but a 4 pin connector.

 

Solved
I wired in a light between that wire and the starter. It creates a draw and the alternator charges. The light burns dim, then goes out when it excites the alternator..exciting!!!!!!

 

I've not been paying attention to what you're doing, close enough to know you weren't using the stock instrument cluster =P I just knew that's where that wire traditionally connected up to =P

 

Im not even paying attention to what I'm doing..

 

Best way to do it, really. It makes things more interesting.

 

Occasionally its a shocking experience!

 

I suffer from CRS(can't remember s..t), but I believe you need the light in line for the alternator to sense a lower voltage than the battery. Then the control circuit will use the light for an indicator of over charging or under charging. But I do remember it should be wired into terminal "L" on the connector. The only reference book I have on hand is for an 88. I'd put a side marker bulb in line and see what happens. Ron

 

I took the alternator out my 96 Astro that I scrapped and put it in the 2A. Wired it to a red pilot light I got at a truck parts place. It’s on the right. A matching blue one on the left for high beams

 

When I was wiring my 4.3ltr. It wasn't charging until I hooked up the battery light in my dash.

 

There is no “L” to wire to. I took that wire in the above pic, wired in a side marker bulb from the old Astro van harness and it works as it’s supposed to now.

 

OK, I May have advanced CRS. Just glad it works. Ron

 

Drove it out of its spot

 

Definitely want to make sure the exciter wire is switched off when the key is off. Otherwise it will drain the battery.

 

All that excitement could drain anyones batteries!

 

I’m doing almost the same swap which terminal on the four pronged connector is the exite wire?

 

What year is it? I can probably get a diagram.