ORIGINAL: 109jb

With the engine not running the STA terminal will not be hot. The STA terminal is the one the regulator uses to "see" the alternator output, but the field is what "turns it on". The STA is where electric chokes should be hooked up on an externally regulated alternator because it will not open the choke until the alternator is turning (ie: engine running). That is also why I said that if you are using a one-wire alternator you should use a oil pressure switch on a 12V switched source. With the oil pressure switch in there the choke also won't open until there is oil pressure (ie: engine running). What I forgot to mention was that the oil pressure switch needs to be one that has open contacts when there is zero oil pressure which is opposite of the ones that turn the idiot light on when oil pressure drops.

There is a good description about externally regulated Ford alternators here: http://www.electricalrebuilders.org/...sicsford1g.pdf