'47 H had a one-wire setup which I just converted to a 3-wire, using a Delco-Remy 10SI Alternator.Bought a connector to plug the wires into the 1 and 2 terminals on the 10SI alternator. Wired the 2 terminal to the BAT terminal on the alternator. Soldered a Radio Shack 1N4003 diode inline (banded end toward the alternator) on a wire from the shutoff switch to the 1 terminal on the alternator. The shutoff switch end was connected to the same pole as is wired to the + pole on the coil. This diode prevents the draw which can run the battery down. Tested the wire that had the diode. PASSED. Fired the H up and enjoyed seeing the voltmeter step immediately up to 14.5V just at idle - no running the engine up to mid-throttle to get the alternator to kick in. The one-wire setup is easy to install but the benefits end there. I do a lot of small and short jobs with my tractor. At times I've looked at the voltmeter and found I've been running for some time without the alternator kicking in. This post is to recommend going to the 3-wire setup if you've a 1-wire. One thing I wasn't happy with. The clearance below the hood with the 10SI wasn't much - with the connector made for the alternator, the wires stuck out and would get clobbered when I put on the hood. I cut slots in the connector to allow the wires to come out at 90 degrees to the back and that took care of it. If I were to do it again, I'd just use a couple of female spade connectors and bend them to come out the back. Thanks to Bob M and the others who helped me with this task.
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