Alternator remote sense

Matt Colie

Well-known member
Aug 15, 2008
11,101
807
113
South East Michigan near DTW
I have to replace my alternator. The one just removed is a confirmed kill due to mechanical damage. The replacement that I picked up years ago is
another 27SI, but I have no confidence that it is remote sensing.

Is there any kind of an external electrical check that I can do to confirm or deny that it is a remote sensing regulator??

Yes, I have gone a serious on-line search, but all Delco will tell me is that their remote sensing machines have an external terminal.

Thanks

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
I believe the remote sensing 27SI alternator the GMC uses can be identified by the two small male disconnect terminals on the voltage regulator. These
protrude (slightly) through the case at about the 10 o'clock position when viewed from behind. The one you want will have a small terminal marked "B"
or "Bat", alongside the one connected to the warning light. This allows the alternator to sense the voltage of the battery directly, bypassing the
diode isolator. The type you DON'T want is the so-called "one wire" or "machine sensed" alternator, which only has one small terminal for the idiot
light (if that), and one big stud and nut connecting to the battery, via the isolator in our case.
HTH
Rick Staples
--
Rick Staples, '75 Eleganza, Johnstown, CO

"Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the Wise to the Wise, and all paths may run ill." -Tolkien
 
> I believe the remote sensing 27SI alternator the GMC uses can be identified by the two small male disconnect terminals on the voltage regulator.
> These protrude (slightly) through the case at about the 10 o'clock position when viewed from behind. The one you want will have a small terminal
> marked "B" or "Bat", alongside the one connected to the warning light. This allows the alternator to sense the voltage of the battery directly,
> bypassing the diode isolator. The type you DON'T want is the so-called "one wire" or "machine sensed" alternator, which only has one small terminal
> for the idiot light (if that), and one big stud and nut connecting to the battery, via the isolator in our case.
> HTH
> Rick Staples

Rick,

Thank you, but the problem is that all the Delco XXSI regulators have the two terminals. When this alternator was repaired once (because the
regulator failed), the installed regulator was not remote sense. I figured out in short order what a difference is makes. I am hoping to confirm
that the spare I have does have the remote sense regulator without having to crack the machine open.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
Out of curiousity, does anyone have a part number for the “correct” voltage regulator?

Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'

>

>> I believe the remote sensing 27SI alternator the GMC uses can be identified by the two small male disconnect terminals on the voltage regulator.
>> These protrude (slightly) through the case at about the 10 o'clock position when viewed from behind. The one you want will have a small terminal
>> marked "B" or "Bat", alongside the one connected to the warning light. This allows the alternator to sense the voltage of the battery directly,
>> bypassing the diode isolator. The type you DON'T want is the so-called "one wire" or "machine sensed" alternator, which only has one small terminal
>> for the idiot light (if that), and one big stud and nut connecting to the battery, via the isolator in our case.
>> HTH
>> Rick Staples
>
> Rick,
>
> Thank you, but the problem is that all the Delco XXSI regulators have the two terminals. When this alternator was repaired once (because the
> regulator failed), the installed regulator was not remote sense. I figured out in short order what a difference is makes. I am hoping to confirm
> that the spare I have does have the remote sense regulator without having to crack the machine open.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Isn't it like 60 seconds to zip out 4 screws and separate the case to see if jumped internally? Which brings us to the next question of is there a
correct way to disassemble without cracking the the brush holder when brushes catch on rings? I understand reassembly using a spray straw brush
keeper. Did a cs144 a week ago.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
They taught us to use toothpicks to retain the slip ring brushes in GM
school. That is why there is a small hole drilled through the brush holder.
The hole also serves as a quick check to check for brush wear.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or

On Sun, Aug 4, 2019, 7:02 AM John R. Lebetski via Gmclist <

> Isn't it like 60 seconds to zip out 4 screws and separate the case to see
> if jumped internally? Which brings us to the next question of is there a
> correct way to disassemble without cracking the the brush holder when
> brushes catch on rings? I understand reassembly using a spray straw brush
> keeper. Did a cs144 a week ago.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Big Shame-faced confession: Some years back, after installing a combiner,
I jumpered the remote sense line to the output terminal of my 27 SI. I ran
that way for several years before installing the Cad500 (with a CS130
alternator). I never had a problem with battery condition -- but I DID pay
a lot of attention to all of my wiring, including the primary lead from the
alternator and the battery terminals.

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, Troy-Bilt APU, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

On Sun, Aug 4, 2019 at 8:22 AM Matt Colie via Gmclist <

> > I believe the remote sensing 27SI alternator the GMC uses can be
> identified by the two small male disconnect terminals on the voltage
> regulator.
> > These protrude (slightly) through the case at about the 10 o'clock
> position when viewed from behind. The one you want will have a small
> terminal
> > marked "B" or "Bat", alongside the one connected to the warning light.
> This allows the alternator to sense the voltage of the battery directly,
> > bypassing the diode isolator. The type you DON'T want is the so-called
> "one wire" or "machine sensed" alternator, which only has one small terminal
> > for the idiot light (if that), and one big stud and nut connecting to
> the battery, via the isolator in our case.
> > HTH
> > Rick Staples
>
> Rick,
>
> Thank you, but the problem is that all the Delco XXSI regulators have the
> two terminals. When this alternator was repaired once (because the
> regulator failed), the installed regulator was not remote sense. I
> figured out in short order what a difference is makes. I am hoping to
> confirm
> that the spare I have does have the remote sense regulator without having
> to crack the machine open.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
James,yes I understand the brush holder holes and the one in the rear case. They give you a metal wire keeper with nee brushes, but I like the spray
can straws. The question is for disassembly. You can't insert a toothpick or anything else while brushes are spring loaded against slip rings.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II