Alternator exciter wire

Thanks for the advice.

Can I ask why this works? I'm trying to figure out why the alternator needs the exciter wire at all. I've been reading up and it seems that the alternator fields will become excited once the engine is revved up?

Thanks again

You don't need all that relay guff. Just an ignition feed, through a 3 watt bulb, to the terminal on the alternator. You have to have it otherwise it won't charge as explained in the (very useful) link.
You can tuck the bulb out of the way under the dash or get an actual fancy battery warning lamp and incorporate into your new dash but whatever you do you need it. It's also a handy warning should the alternator fail..

Millions of cars don't use a relay for the exciter why start now ?

The bulb is the protection of the circuit as well as the indicator. You cannot flow much current to create any problems through a 3W bulb filament.

Like I said, I don't really care how the OP does it. But I have been rectifying problems caused by modifications such as these for donkeys years. Wire as you like - I don't give a toss and don't feel the need to argue about it, but I know what best practice is on modifications to keep things safe. For £2.50 and a couple of wires its a no brainer in my book. Make your own choice.

PS: I have also spent many years rectifying wiring on military vechicle's that so-called military electrical experts have 'repaired'. (working at DERA, Chertsey 1984 - 1992). I have also wired from scratch many prototype vehicles and pieces of military equipment. If you managed to wire an engine with relays that then had to be stalled to stop it I wouldn't rate your competence with electrics at a very confidence inspiring level!!!

Hey, no argument or attitude from me, two choices - one Ok, one with an additional level of safety - take it or leave it.

End of!

I actually found this comment dismissive, arrogant and condescending to my original post. However, I now doubt that you actually meant it that way.

Like you say, lets all be nice to each other!! In the words of the politicians, "lessons will be learned".

Time to move on I think.

I appreciate the help from both of you, I now understand exactly what the exciter wire does and can make my own choice about how I go about installing one. So I'd say the thread was a success, again thanks to both of you.

Here's the dash (doesn't look like much yet without any switches in the surround or LED's in the panel



And here's the NOS VDO digital gauges that are going in the dash and in the head-unit slot. As you can see, I made a little loom up with colour-coded multiplugs so it's all easy to work with.

Seconded, very tidy. Nice job!