CS130 High Output Alternator - One Wire Turn On
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Installation Instructions
Important: A Big 3 wiring upgrade is required for all high output alternators — factory wiring isn't rated for 250A+ output.
Before you start: Batteries fully charged, vehicle off and engine cool. Wear eye protection and remove loose jewelry.
Remove the old unit: Disconnect the negative battery cable, then the alternator wiring. Note the belt routing, remove the belt, then remove the bracket bolts and the factory alternator.
Install the new alternator: Mount it (factory bolts usually work) — hand-thread first, then torque to spec. Fit a serpentine belt about 0.5–1" shorter unless otherwise specified and confirm it's aligned in all pulley grooves.
Grounding: Clean all contact surfaces to bare metal and apply a corrosion inhibitor. On uni-body vehicles, ground to the thickest sub-frame metal and add ground cables if charging voltage is low. Keep wiring at least 12" from heat sources.
Regulator / plug: Factory plug — snap the harness into the regulator. Pigtail (single-wire) — excite wire (L) to a 7–15V ignition source, sense wire (S) to the alternator positive. Self-exciting (one-wire) — no plug; connect only B+ and ground (a battery light may appear). A dash volt gauge is recommended.
Finish: Complete the Big 3 upgrade, reconnect the negative terminal, start the vehicle, and confirm 13.5–14.8V at the battery.
Big 3 Wiring Installation
The Big 3 upgrade replaces the three main cables with 1/0 100% OFC (oxygen-free copper) wire: (1) alternator positive → battery positive, (2) engine/alternator ground → chassis, and (3) battery negative → chassis. Required for all high output alternators.
Before you start: Charge the batteries, vehicle off and cool, eye protection on. Disconnect the negative battery cable first.
Install: Run the upgraded positive cable from the alternator positive to the battery positive. Add an upgraded ground from the engine/alternator bracket to the frame, and another from the battery negative to the frame. Clean every contact point to bare metal and apply a corrosion inhibitor. Crimp and heat-shrink the lugs, then torque firmly.
Finish: Reconnect the negative terminal last. Two kit types are offered — Universal (most common) and Polaris Slingshot (longer positive cable for trunk-mounted batteries). Check the measurements for your vehicle before buying.
Hairpin units are commonly called 6 phase. They produce more output at idle and are more efficient than a conventional alternator. JS Alternators hairpin units feature premium bearings to withstand high engine rpm and utilize dual plate rectifier with 12 heavy duty diodes for improved cooling. Hairpin Units are a more reliable alternator to withstand high heat, high demand for car audio, marine, and racing applications.
This CS130 style alternator is commonly used on 1987-1995 Chevy C1500 Pickups and some aftermarket accessory drives. This unit makes for a super easy installation! To activate the alternator, you only need to connect a single wire from the provided pigtail to any ignition switched 12V+ source. This allows the alternator to turn on and off with the ignition switch. These units come with a smaller pulley which requires installing a half inch to an inch shorter belt.
All Motor Swap Applications will come with a 45 mm. pulley and will require installing a 1/2 inch - 1 inch shorter belt.
FITMENT GUIDE:
| Make | Model | Engine Size | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buick | Roadmaster | 5.0L / 5.7L | 1991 - 1993 |
| Chevrolet | Astro Van | 4.3L | 1987 - 1995 |
| Chevrolet | Camaro | 5.0L / 5.7L | 1988 - 1992 |
| Chevrolet | Full Size Truck | All Gas Engines | 1987 - 1995 |
| Chevrolet | S-10 / S-10 Blazer | 4.3L | 1998 - 1993 |
| Chevrolet | Suburban | All Gas Engines | 1987 - 1995 |
| Chevrolet | Tahoe / Full Size Blazer | All Gas Engines | 1987 - 1995 |
| GMC | Full Size Truck | 4.3L | 1987 - 1995 |
| GMC | Full Size Truck | 5.0L | 1987 - 1995 |
| GMC | Full Size Truck | 5.7L | 1989 - 1995 |
| GMC | Safari | 4.3L | 1990 - 1993 |
| GMC | Suburban | All Gas Engines | 1987 - 1995 |
| GMC | Yukon | All Gas Engines | 1987 - 1995 |
| Oldsmobile | Bravada | 4.3L | 1991 - 1993 |
| Pontiac | Firebird | 5.0L / 5.7L | 1988 - 1992 |
