The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Generator output for dual batteries?

Ok. I have a 51 chevy. It has a 235 from a 1960 impala in it. When i first built the truck, i had the 1960 generator rebuilt. It has been adequate for my usage. Until now... I decided to replace the rear leaf spring suspension with trailing arms and airbags. I want to be able to use my truck like a truck. But, i find the leaf springs to be way soft for anything heavier than my minibike.

The question i have (finally!) is: will the generator provide enough juice to charge two batteries? I wish to add a deep cycle battery to the starting battery because the air compressor draws 30amps. I figure that because it is sporadic usage a deep cycle battery should even out the total load. Provided I can keep both batteries charged with the generator. I like the appearance of the generator and would not replace it with an alternator.

Thoughts?

Find a 45 amp capacity generator and regulator for a Cadillac or an Olds 98, and don't bother with a second battery. Unless you're planning to run the air compressor with the engine stopped, there's no point whatsoever in using the deep cycle battery. The only real difference in a deep cycle is the fact it can be repeatedly discharged 75% instead of 25% like a normal battery without damage to the plates. That's important for a trolling motor or a golf cart, but not a vehicle battery.

Use a good-sized reserve tank, like a 30-lb. Freon tank with a one-way check valve, to give the compressor a little break.

Trailing arms and air bags will be a HUGE mistake, BTW. Add more leaves to the regular springs.
Jerry

Huge mistake? Oh boy... I already done it..

Had a late sixties truck with factory trailing arms and airbags instead of springs. Loved it! Rode nice, handled well and was easily adjustable for height and load.

I hope you changed the rear axle housing and torque tube in the process!
Jerry

You can pretty much eliminate air usage if you manually adjust pressure to suit load only as needed.

If you do want a leveling valve choose one with a delay, so it takes an average and uses less air than one that adjust air pressure for every pot hole and bottle cap in the road.

I think you'd be fine with one battery so long as the compressor does not run with the engine off.

If you must have two batteries normal practice it to use two identical size and age in parallel. Unless they're somehow isolated from each other.

Jerry: Yeah, I dumped the torque tube in the beginning. Never seemed like a good idea from the beginning. I had to add a panhard bar at the same time to eliminate the "sway" in the rear end.

Grigg: Thanks! Manual leveling for certain.
I got the isolator wiring all figured out, I just not sure if the generator is up to the task..

I like the looks of a generator, but hate the finicky voltage regulator. I went with an alternator and painted it black. Blends in pretty good.
Carl

Well that's a clever solution... Can you send me a pic?

I have about 10,000 miles on the truck since last time a took it apart. I havent had any issues with the way it runs at all. Mebbe I have just been lucky.Took it for a 100 mile drive with my buddy a couple summers ago. He commented "runs like a watch!"

I generally don't try to fix what ain't broke. Try what you have until it stops "ticking".
Carl

I can understand that philosophy. But, i have never been able to adhere to it. I suppose i am a serial tinkerer.