Need help with alternator

Minimichael

Minimichael

Well-Known Member
#1
#1
My alternator has one wire with plastic connector. The only other line appears to be a solder spade at the housing. Do I hook that spade to anything? I assume the power generated by this alternator simply comes out of the main wire.

Note: Part #494254 is a superseding alternator and always appears made of white plastic. The one I bought is black like the ones it superseded, though it was sold as 494254. I don't think this is important but just want to get that fact out of the way. Additionally, the original engine parts diagram shows two alternator options (not sure why) and two concordant adapters as well (1 takes a rectifier, the other option calls for a diode). I'm totally unsure if I'll need either for this alleged superseding model of the wrong color.

How can I test these without burning something out? My goal is to have an alternator that produces power to charge a battery. Not trying to light up and power accessories.
 

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ole4

ole4

#2
#2
I have no experience with that part but lots as far as small engine alternators. If it is one wire out and you do not have any diodes visible on the coils it is probably AC out with the other end of the coils grounded so your space connector would be your other connection as it is grounded. I will assume you have a meter and you can measure the output with the AC scale. Your part has 4 coils so it probably has at least a 5 amp current capacity. If you want to charge a battery then you will need to rectify it.
 
Minimichael

Minimichael

Well-Known Member
#3
#3
ole4 said:
I have no experience with that part but lots as far as small engine alternators. If it is one wire out and you do not have any diodes visible on the coils it is probably AC out with the other end of the coils grounded so your space connector would be your other connection as it is grounded. I will assume you have a meter and you can measure the output with the AC scale. Your part has 4 coils so it probably has at least a 5 amp current capacity. If you want to charge a battery then you will need to rectify it.
Click to expand...
Thanks @ole4. I do have a meter, and I'll start with the AC assumption and go from there.
 
Thepaetsguy

Thepaetsguy

Well-Known Member
#4
#4
I don’t know about one wire AC out but on my briggs 8hp I had two ac lines from the alternator. I used a Kawasaki eBay rectifier and an old fourwheeler diagram and had an awesome charging system. Look into GY6 rectifiers? I know some Gy6 rectifiers are even 3 phase with 3 ac lines not two. not sure if they make single ac in rectifiers though. 24EA7034-39DD-4584-AD8E-C70E1DCC734F.png 3D0BA165-5532-4811-8DFC-28D7C58B6C42.jpeg
 
Minimichael

Minimichael

Well-Known Member
#7
#7
All good discussions. Thanks you guys your points and pointers help orient my understanding here. This alternator does indeed only have one line out, plus that sole apparently extra grounding spade in the middle.

BTW, I have bought this pack of adapting connectors – not because part #s matched but because it looked damn similar to my parts tree diagram. Thinking once I know what this alternator puts out, then I may already have the necessary connector and maybe adapter (diode?) too.

Or maybe I'll be looking for a rectifier still?
 

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sparkwizard

sparkwizard

#8
#8
I see the word "rectifier" in that description.
You do understand rectifier and diode are just about the same thing, right?
A rectifier bridge, or rectifier trio, is just three diodes for use in three phase, or three output wire systems, like wind turbines...
A diode only allows current to flow in one direction. an LED is a Light Emitting Diode. That is why it won't work if you don't wire it correctly.
 
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