The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay More silly 12V conversion questions...

Sorry, Guys... I did a search but came up with too many answers or none specific enough...
I've decided to rewire Dad's 51 Chevy 3100 and go 12V at the same time. I've been looking at a Ron Francis wiring kit. Some of the scuttlebutt I've heard is that the ammeter will blow up/catch fire, etc. if I run an alternator over 30 amps. I'm told I'll need a 12V starter solenoid (where do I get that-I've not seen one in any of the catalogs I have) :confused: and find a 63-up alternator bracket (where?) :confused: I've heard guys talk of a Delco 10SI, would that be the ticket for me? I'll probably change over to a Pertronix system too, but does anyone know which kit I need exactly? Aaaarrgghh!! I hate electrical!! HELP! Oh yeah, Thanks!

E=I Squared R?

Never heard of an ammeter blowing up/catching fire. What accessories are you planning to run that will be pulling over 30 amps for extended periods?

A '51 3100 does not have an electric solenoid unless something has been changed on it.

You can modify your generator bracket or you can pay high dollar to a parts vendor.

What electrical devices have you or will you add to this truck?

The original electical requirements are pretty light and you don't need a big alternator to satisfy them.

If you really need that big alternator you'll want a guage that tells you what is happening and the stock guage isn't going to do it. Plus you might manage to smoke it...

No your ammeter will not blow up. If you're concerned about it, bypass it and put in a voltmeter.

I've seen special alternator brackets for 235s for sale on ebay, but I'm sure that other outfits sell the same thing. I usually just modify the generator bracket with some all-thread and washers to shore it up.

Yes, a Delco 10SI (63 amp) or 12SI (96 amp) is what you want. I don't recommend going into a place like Kragen or GhettoZone and asking for those models though... you'll get the bleary-eyed apathetic teenage response, "What year?" Ask for an alternator out of a 1984 chevy caprice... and make sure it has the regular v-belt pulley on it, not the serpentine pulley. (I've seen both on the same alternator!!)

Note that this alternator does not come standard "one wire." Rather it is three wire but can be run as one-wire by jumping two of the terminals on a stock 10 or 12SI. We can elaborate on that if necessary when the time comes.

Let's see, there won't be much pull on the system. I don't plan on adding anything that'll make enough of a drain to matter. Thanks for the alternator and bracket ideas--they'll work. As far as the gauge, I've decided to buy some 12V original style (from Classic Parts). :confused: Will the stock 12V gauge handle the amperage of the alternator or do I need to go with a voltmeter of some sort? I'm trying to keep the dash as stock as possible for my dad. Justin, thanks for the offer of more help--I'll probably be in touch soon...
Thanks again, Guys. Sorry for the slow response, I've been working lots of hours and it's been tough to get online much...

Keep in mind that the ammeter does not sense volts, it senses current, or amps, and is not voltage sensitive. Leaving it in circuit will have no adverse effects, and the fact of the matter is that a modern volt gauge will be more appropriate for telling you what's going on with your charging system than the ammeter. Most of the time your charging system is operating optimally the ammeter needle will be in the middle anyway, so no worries. Worst that will happen is the ammeter will peg to the charge side if your battery is REALLY drained, and in this instance you know something's wrong anyway!!