L0WMK2 Posted March 6, 2006 Posted March 6, 2006 How to convert from a Generator to an Alternator. NOTE: This guide is written for a vehicle that is fitted with a generator and is POSITIVE earth. The procedure outlined below will convert the vehicle to negative earth. It's not a difficult conversion. About the easiest one to use mechanically is the Lucas self regulated alternator off the Escort 1600, that way you get all the necessary brackets and stuff. Identify where the idiot light terminal is and whether you have one or two main power terminals. If you have two they will probably need to be shorted together to get an output. Disconnect and remove the battery and do the mechanical installation. Disconnect and remove the voltage regulator. There will then be two BIG wires and two small wires. Join the big wires to each other and insulate them (solder and shrink tube is good), then join the two little wires and insulate them, the short black wire is the old regulator body earth which may be discarded. Down at the alternator this will give you a BIG wire and a little wire, the BIG wire goes to the main power output terminal and the little wire to the idiot light terminal. Reverse the connections at the coil. Reverse the connections at your gauges. If you have a radio that works with a positive earth, disconnect it and isolate the power lead to the radio. Reinstall the battery and wire the positive terminal to the Starter solenoid terminal and the negative to the body earth. You are finished. The follow picture is for the colour codes for mk2 cortina
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