Case 580 alternator wiring question

[Gregory Matthew]

I have a 580 super e with a delco 3 wire alternator. One of the wires from the two wire connector goes to the battery terminal and the other wire goes into the wiring harness and I'm not us re where it goes.. The alternator tests good but it is not charging. I'm guessing the wire that I can't figure out where it goes energizes the field. None of the dash gauges or dash lights work. Is the "mystery" wire wired to a ight in the dash?
Thanks
Greg
 

[AJ.]

Should be,when things are working right and you turn on the key power is sent to one side of each gauge and warning light,ground is made through the sensors for each function,in the case of the alternator ground is made through the field coils and brushes,the tiny trickle is enough to energize the coils,when the engine starts the alternator starts to produce power and the ground is broken and the light goes out,the main cable attached to the alternator should be hot, between the alternator and starter motor there is a circuit breaker,check to see that it is closed,if you do not have a manual let me know and you can have a PDF copy.
AJ
 

[Heat Houser]

Assume you have a 10-SI.
The two wire connector....

Pin 2 from the Batt (The regulator uses this voltage signal to control the field)

Pin 1 Don't know about your 580 Case but a typical installation is as follows: Batt to key switch, to one leg of the idiot light. The other leg of the idiot light to pin 1. (pin 1 is used as initial excitation for the fields thru the idiot light)

For a test, via a jumper wire, put batt voltage in on Pin 1. It should initially excite the fields. Once initially excited, the alt should have output and be self exciting via the diode trio. Stop the unit? You will have to excite again.......