Voltage Question on 10SI Alternator

[aharman]

I have rebuilt a Delco 10SI alternator last year using a 1 wire kit. I recently noticed fluctuation in voltage so started checking with a meter. Battery is staying charged at 12.52v. At idle I'm getting 13.34 volts at battery. When I rev up the engine, I am reaching 16volts. Does this mean my regulator is going out?

[TheJDMan]

The regulator would be my first concern 16v will boil a battery dry in no time. I'm not a fan of single wire charging systems. They are just a lazy method of wiring a charging system. A proper 3 wire alt has many advantages over a 1 wire set up. I would recommend you take a look at this article which explains the differences in detail.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml

[MonzaRacer]

Yesh, see so many using those crap one wire or no turn on lead kits and they are junk. It is so easy with 10 so find the connector that has large guage and small gauge wires. The small ones goes to 12 v key on but try not to get it hooked to anything tied to ignition or it can back feed and require a diode to keep it from making car not turn off.
The large wire simply loop over to battery post on alternator.
Basically this makes it a two wire alternator. Also remember that with the one wire kit that ,I, as a diag the h have seen every one of them have to have higher rpm,ie off idle, to create any reasonable charge.
Also remember alternator charge voltage should be steady, the amperage is supposed to be varying.