ALTERNATOR WIRING KIT

For the GM alternator models:

CS-130 (1st generation)

&

CS-130D (late 1990’s, into the 2000 and …? years)

&

Other models of the CS series alternators

Connector photos for model identification are shown farther down in this file

        

This kit is a handy package!  The CS alternator models have some fragile electronics within the voltage regulator, and it is very important to get the wiring correct the FIRST TIME!    Simply connecting a full-12volt power source to the wrong terminal at the Plug-In connector can instantly damage electronics at the built-in voltage regulator with the CS models.

 

$28.00      The M.A.D. Part Number is “CS-ALT”

The $28.00 cost is for the kit shown in the photo below.  This kit comes without the Plug-In connector.  Photos for identification and part numbers of the Plug-In connectors are shown and listed farther down in this file, for both the “CS-130” and the “CS-130D” alternator models.

 

 

M.A.D. part number “CS-ALT” wiring kit, $28.00

(photo above)

 

         This kit was specially designed for custom and retrofit applications using the GM CS-130 design (which is the original version of the CS-130) and also for the model CS-130D (which is a newer version that was introduced in the late 1990’s).  This wiring kit also works very well with other CS model alternators.

 

KIT CONTENTS:

The 14 page MANUAL (It is a good manual with many simple diagrams, and it also very easy to read and follow.)  Every wiring method discussed in the manual has at least one simple diagram to illustrate the wiring method.  Topics covered in the manual include:

• The functions and wiring of the terminals at the Plug-In connector.
• Alternator out-put systems for all applications (We do not necessarily connect the out-put cable directly to the battery—in fact our FULL-POWER / NEW SYSTEM is a classic example of routing the alternator output wire to a power distribution buss-bar.)

 

• Converting wiring systems that were made for the early externally regulated alternators.  There are some very important details covered; such as supporting the factory warning light and disconnecting the resistance wire that was enclosed in the dash wire harness.  GM Muscle Cars that came with externally regulated alternator systems had a dedicated resistance wire in the dash wire harness.  (This resistance wire is entirely different than the resistance wire used for the ignition coil circuit.)  This resistance wire was part of the circuit to the external voltage regulator, and this resistance wire is not calibrated for use with the CS series alternators.

 

 

• Converting wiring systems that were made for the “SI series GM DELCO alternators.”  The “SI series” were the early alternators with built-in voltage regulators; they were used throughout much of the 1970’s production and into the 1980’s production.  The SI connector had two, traditional, flat-blade terminals (56 series terminals).  Please see our catalog page for our part # ALT-1 wiring kit and also see our Electrical Tech section for visual identification of the “SI series” alternators.)

 

• Converting wiring systems that were made for the old “generator systems.”  These are typically from the 1950’s and early 1960’s; they are the early 12volt systems.

 

 

• Wiring Diagram options for custom, “wire-from-scratch” applications.   A choice of Warning Light at the dash or Voltmeter at the dash is included, or use both a Warning Light and a VOLT gauge on the same car!

 

• An explanation of how the Warning Light system works.

 

 

• Installation of the DIODE, which must be used with MSD 6A boxes (and similar types of ignition).

 

• Installation of the RESISTOR, which will be needed for installations without a Warning Light at the Dash (gauge only).

 

 

• A trouble-Shooting guide for testing the system is included in the manual.

 

8 Feet Lengths of WIRE

• Our Red, 8 gauge Tuff-Wire is used for the Out-Put circuit.  A selection of 8 gauge wire terminals is included for the various options with wiring methods, which are all shown in the manual.
• Our Red, 14 gauge Tuff-Wire is used for the “Remote Voltage Sensing” Hook-Up.
• Dark Brown wire, which is the gauge size and color that GM typically used for the “Turn-On” & Warning Light circuit.

 

OTHER PARTS included in the package

• A 12 gauge Fusible Link Wire kit is included for short-circuit/over-load protection of the 8 gauge Out-Put wire to the alternator.
• A RESISTOR is included, which is calibrated to protect voltage regulator electronics (the regulator is within in the alternator).
• A DIODE is included, which will be required with MSD 6A box ignition (and with many other similar types of ignition).
• Wire terminals and shrinkable tubing is included for the work of wiring the plug-in connector circuits.

 

 

PLUG-IN CONNECTORS (these we sell separately from the kit)

 

         The genuine GM connectors that we ship with our CS-130 Wiring Kits have already been prepared for custom installation covered in our manual.  Only two wires will be used at the Plug-In connector—we remove and delete the other two wires.

 

Many people do not already know it, but for many popular service parts (including these pre-wired, pigtailed, alternator connectors) GM has two different marketing systems for the same part.

Often, the same, identical, genuine GM service part may be purchased from either a GM Dealership Parts Department or from independent Auto Parts Stores who are AC-DELCO distributors.  The package containing the part will have both Part Numbers, and the parts & packaging will be identical.  (The same is true with Tune-Up Parts, Alternators & Starters, Water Pumps, Brake Parts, and many other genuine GM service parts.)

For your convenience, below we have offered Part Numbers for the GM Parts Department “long-number” and also for the AC-DELCO catalog “short-number.”  You are welcome to go price shopping for these connector parts; in fact we encourage it.  (We simply offer these connectors as a convenience to customers, and the sale of these parts is not profitable for us.)

 

 

GM Dealership Parts Department # 88987962

AC-DELCO# PT1742

These part numbers are for the “1st generation CS-130 connector, which is shown in the above photo.  As explained above the photo the “GM long-number” and the “AC-DELCO short-number” are two different part number systems for the same part/same package.

NOTE:  When this connector is purchased through GM parts distribution sources it will have all four wires in the connector—although we will use only two wires with installations covered in the manual with the M.A.D. part number “CS-ALT” wiring kit.

 

GM suggested list price = $48.38 (Whew!  They must be proud of this little part!)

 

COST from M.A.D. = $40.00,

order M.A.D. part number CS-130

(We remove the two un-needed wires from the connector assembly.)

 

 

GM Dealership Parts Department #15306009

AC-DELCO # PT1136

(These part numbers are for the CS-130D alternator connector, which is shown in the above photo.  As explained above the photos these are two different part number systems for the same part/same package.)

 

GM suggested list price = $24.51  (Amazing!  A service part for a newer car that is less expensive by one-half, as compared to the same type service part for an older model GM car!)

 

COST from M.A.D. = $23.00

order M.A.D. part number CS-130D

((We remove the two un-needed wires from the connector assembly.)

 

A little background information about the GM “CS series” alternators…

         “CS” is a GM designation for the alternator models; CS is an abbreviation for “Charging System.”  A designation such as “CS-130” is a model number, but not a part number.  Since the production of the first generation of CS alternators, there have been several models of the CS series alternators.  There is the common car and pick-up truck model CS-130, the bigger model CS-144, the smaller CS-121, and now the newer CS-130D.  Within each of the model numbers there are many different part numbers, including part numbers with different mounting bracket configurations and different voltage regulators within.

To further complicate matters, GM originally installed two different categories of voltage regulators in the various part numbers of CS alternators.  One of the four terminals at the plug-in connector is either an “I” function or an “F” function (which gives us the two categories), and the external labels at the plug in connector do not distinguish the category of the voltage regulator within the alternator.  In exploring deeper still, we find that within both the “I” function and “F” function categories, there are different part numbers of voltage regulators.  (It’s not like the old days, when life was simple!  Ha!)

The purpose with so many different voltage regulators was to offer different wiring methods and “tune” some functions for various models of complicated factory built cars and trucks.  Within these two different categories of voltage regulators, the different part numbers were intended for dedicated applications with factory-installed electronic engine management (computer controlled engine systems).  The particulars that were of benefit to some factory systems are not often significant to retrofit or custom CS installations; however the wiring method options for the two different categories are very important!

One of the internal differences among these various voltage regulator part numbers for dedicated factory applications is “ramp-up time,” which is the seconds of transition with increasing alternator output.  An example would be an 8 second “ramp-up time,” which could give a throttle position servo motor time to react while opening the throttle blades in effort to maintain engine idle quality and RPM; even with the increased horsepower drag added as the alternator is called upon to produce more output.  (While this function may have been important to a small cubic inch engine with electronic engine management; the function is not of value when running with a large displacement, carbureted engine, in an old Muscle Car where a set screw at the throttle adjustment controls idle RPM.)

 

IN SUMMARY

         With factory CS alternator installations we see various models of cars and trucks with different alternator wiring—some will have only one wire used at the plug-in connector and yet other factory CS installations may use three wires at the plug-in connector.  The same terminals are not always used or required, and with the two different categories of voltage regulators the wiring methods are often not interchangeable!  Therefore it is not a good plan to look at how one particular CS alternator was wired with a factory-original installation, and then attempt use the same wiring method for another CS alternator in a custom wiring application.  In fact damage to the CS alternator may result from incorrect wiring methods!

 

Where our wiring methods originated (for the CS Alternators) …

         We all have to learn from an information source, and with these modern “high-tech wonders” the most accurate information often comes from the original designer/builder.

Years ago, when the original CS-130 was still the current production technology on assembly lines, M.A.D.’s Mark Hamilton worked with a Senior Engineer at DELCO REMY to design a practical wiring method that would work very well with all CS alternators and also work well in custom wiring and retrofit applications.  The finished wiring methods that Hamilton came up with were appreciated by the GM engineer, and these methods are shown in the manual with the M.A.D. kit.  The wiring methods shown in the manual perform well with all GM voltage regulators that will be found in the CS model alternators, and the kit eliminates need for extensive research or knowledge with all of these “dedicated part numbers and two categories of voltage regulators.”

The fragile and sensitive electronics within the CS voltage regulators will be safe with the wiring methods shown in the manual with this M.A.D. wiring kit.  Our wiring method works equally well in both “I” function and “F” function regulator categories.  Considering the cost of these CS alternators and the importance of getting the wiring correct with the first attempt, the small cost of our wiring kit is a sensible investment.