I know I'm showing my ignorance again, but here go's. Remember I said a friend gave me an almost brand new Delco 3-Wire? I saw him Saturday and mentioned it was a 3-Wire and he said "It is, I didn't know that! I guess you [meaning me] need a voltage regulator then." As I'm a 1-Wire guy, my reply was "DUH, I don't know, I don't think so" so I'm asking you fine automotive experts on this here site.
"P"
Probably not but it depends on exactly what you have.
JB
Paul, I'm certainly no expert, but I've never run across a GM alternator that required a seperate regulator. All I've seen clear back to the late 60s had a built in regulator. I'm at work now so don't have my wiring manual around but I'll look up the hook up of the GM three wire at home tonight.
Thanks guys, I didn't think so either, but I've been wrong so much lately, well, you know, better safe than sorry.
"P"
Paul, did some research in my old Haynes manual for my Camaro and at least from 82 to 92 those alternators had a built in regulator, part of the internal diode pack along with the rectifiers. From what I can tell the wires are for the main output to the battery, a sense line that drives the charge indicator lamp on the dash and a +12 line (switched I believe) that activates the field circuit.
"All I've seen clear back to the late 60s had a built in regulator"
Bill, my '68 Camaro came stock with a separate regulator & alternator. That has since been rectified. ;)