The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Alternator????

Converting the Generator to an alternator. Jerry said, in one of his many posts to use a 10si series 12 volt alternators. Found a site that has Delco Remy Alts that are 10si 12 volt 63 amps self exciting. also one that is 12 volt 105 amps self exciting. And the standard ones without the self exciting. which one do I choose. Thanks in advance.

My truck is a 53 Chevy 3600 3/4 ton, that is bone stock with the electrical.

I used a 100-amp single-wire internally regulated alternator I found super cheap in an overstock clearance bin. It doesn't actually charge the system at idle, the initiating circuit fires halfway to the red-line. This was not a problem when I ran the old highways twice a week, but since its retirement from regular highway use I've had to use a solar charger to keep the battery topped up. Pay attention to the self-exciter's initiation point compared to your engine's effective RPM range to avoid my error.

My "self-exciting" one-wire 12v alternator (around 60 amp) becomes "excited" between 600-800 RPM (normal start-up RPM). Once excited, it stays excited until the ignition is turned off.

I'm there with Tim. My 6v one wire as no problem charging my '38 at idle. To the OP's question the 60 amp will be more than sufficient unless you're planning to run a thump-thump stereo or other power hog.

Steve, the self-exciting is usually referred to as a 'one wire' and the non self-exciting is usually referred to as a 'three wire'.

One wire alternators are a bit easier to install (two less wires!). Hot rodders have used them for many years.

What are the two extra wires for on the three wire? One is the exciter wire which 'excites' the alternator when the ignition key is turned on. The second is a remote voltage sensing wire for the internal voltage regulator.

The three wire is almost just as easy to install. It has three advantages. One is that you can run an idiot light to your dash if you want to. The second is that it senses the load at the main electrical junction terminal instead of at the alternator. The third is that it is activated (excited) when the ignition is turned on as compared to having to rely on the engine to reach a certain RPM.

I prefer the three wire because I run A/C in my truck and I want the voltage regulator to know the load at the junction point, but that's a personal preference.

As others have stated, the lower capacity alternator should work fine unless you plan on adding several additional heavy power draw accessories. I run a 10SI three wire 63 amp on my '57 with a 235 and A/C. Works fine.

Both work fine. Mostly personal preference.

Matt

A 60-something amp alternator will have twice the capacity of the original equipment generator, so unless you go ape on add-on electrical accessories, you really don't need anything bigger.

For power seats, windows, electric wipers, air conditioning, a high-wattage sound system and maybe a power buttwipe- - - - -upgrade the alternator accordingly!
Jerry

Thank you all for your information. I really do appreciate it all. And then there is Jerry you my friend just summed it up. That is the info I really wanted to hear. Thanks!!!

...handy tool....