stovebolt409,
This is probably much more than you wanted to know about charging system differences between old and new but here goes anyhow!
You now know the generator produces DC voltage and the alternator produces 3 phase AC voltage that is rectified to DC, but another big difference between these two items is that fact that the generator produces its power in the armature and all this oink has to pass through the delicate brushes to reach your system. The alternator produces its power in the stator, which as the name implies, is stationary...no funky brushes to deal with. This allows the alternator to be beefed up to supply ferocious amounts of amperage. The only brushes in a alternator are to supply a small amount of voltage to excite the rotor which regulates the charging process. Sort of bass-ackwards to the old generator. Now you know all there is to know...take a break!
Stuart
