The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Regulator or alternator?

I'm new to the old truck bug, but I've been bitten hard. My question is this. What's the difference between a regulator and an alternator? Which is better and why? I recently bought a '55 235 for my '49 3600 and I think someone said these were 12 volt, but I'm not sure. I want to deep the truck stock appearing, but I would like some modern upgrades (i.e. wipers, radio, etc.) which route should I take for this? Thanks for any help.

An alternator produces electricity and a regulator regulates the amount of electricity it produces.

Which is better and why? I don't understand your question. They are used in conjunction with one another.

Whether the '55 engine is 12V depends on if it was from a car or a first series or second series truck.

Your truck can easily be converted to 12V if you want 12V wipers and radio. You can use either an alternator or generator. A generator will be fine with just those accesories. If you go to adding things like A/C, power seats/windows and the like, go with an alternator.

My bad, I meant the difference between an alternator and a generator. The motor is from a '55 car that had a powerglide so it should have the hydraulic lifters, if I remember right. I only plan on the wipers and a radio. They didn't make trucks with A/C back then, so it seems kinda silly to spoil the whole point of an old truck by adding the A/C. Thant's what the big glass things on the doors are for of you get hot, right?

the 55 woulda been 12V, and a generator will have no problems running any accessories you might have, as they did in the day, the main advantage to an alternator is lots less maintainence

Bill

The motor will have 12 volt gen. & coil. The original 49 is 6 volt. If you use the 12 volt system (preferred) you will need to convert rest of the system. The gen is more original but the alt charges at a lower RPM & is more reliable. The alt is a good idea if you will be in parades or heavy traffic.