minimalist wiring

[chrome]

what is the simplest way to wire an old engine to run, as in a coil and distributor type engine i heard it was only a couple of wires to the alternator or one wire and one to the coil and dist and a starting circuit. im not sure about doing this, any of the welly boys wanna show me how this is done?? iv got beer

[sig]

do you want it to run only or run and charge

[chrome]

hi there, got it running and charging also but i have two wires off the alternator one is connected to the battery and the other is going nowhere and im not sure if i need it or not??? i had a hunt through my old books and found an old trade school auto electric book so thats how it got running again any ideas what the extra wire is?

[sig]

one is probably the exciter wire and the other is probably for a light (ie dash red light).some alternaters will work without both of them .when its running check the voltage across the battery.if 12v or less its not charging .try giving it a rev and see if it starts charging .if you are getting 12.5v or higher then it is charging

[chrome]

yeah its def charging checked it already i will check the other wire for powwer

[dazza85]

yeah its def charging checked it already i will check the other wire for power

If you check that second wire with the motor running and it has no power on it turn the motor off and then turn the ignition back on - if it now has power it is for the dash light.

[chrome]

sweet il try that.it seems to have power all the time tho, i might just chop it off. i dont see a need for a light off the alt cos the oil pressure light i wired in dos the same thing, as in coming on when the engine stops. cheers for the answer tho

[chrome]

hey people if my engine is running and i dsconnect the battery it should run still aye? it wont. any ideas why maybe something to do with the spare alt wire perhaps???