The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts converting to a alternator question

I finnally got the truck stopping with brakes yesterday, and now I have discovered that my generator is not charging. I have checked and replaced the voltage regulator. No difference. Does anybody have any advice ?? How hard is it to convert over to a alternator set-up.

Jason Connellee -- MD

Your generator may just need to be polarized again. There was a discussion about this just the other day. Hotrod Lincoln gave very good instructions on how to polarize the generator, how to determine whether your voltage regulator is working or not, etc., etc.

This is the thread:
http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001154#000010

Changing to an alternator is not that difficult, but you first need to decide if you want to convert to 12 volts or stay with 6 volts. If your truck was originally 6 volts and you want to stay with 6 volts, you're probably better off getting the generating system working properly. 6 volt alternators are very expensive.

If you want to convert to 12 volts, then you'll need to decide what to do about your 6 volt gauges, and you'll need to change all your bulbs to 12 volts. You can buy brackets for mounting "standard" GM alternators that you can buy at any parts store, and you need to get a conversion kit for the wiring to the alternator (or make one yourself.) Fifth Avenue sells the conversion kits.

I converted mine to a 12 volt alternator. It wasn't hard at all.

Thanks for the information. I have a 12 volt generator. I talked to one of our suppliers at work and they said to polarize my voltage regulator. Piece of wire from the B terminal to the F terminal ( I think thats right, I seem to have forgoten since yesterday). I did that and jump started her back up. Took a voltage reading at the battery and the voltage regulator. It said 13.4 volts. I let it run for about 2 minutes to see if was going to die out, it didn't. So I started out the driveway and she died right there in traffic.

Ok, try to picture this, Me, leaning out the front windsheild (removed for restoration), no seat, new doors bungee cord closed, and one of our mechanics bringing me the hot box. What a sight. Oh yeah this was around 5:00 rush home traffic. What should I be looking for that could be the cause of the problem ? I went tot he tech article, but could'nt find anything. Since I allready have a 12 volt system, could I just put on a 12 volt alternator ? And with that set-up, I don't need a voltage regulator ?

Jason

Yes, since your system is already 12 volts, all you need to do is put a "standard" GM alternator on it. You can buy the brackets from some of the vendors (see the links page) or you can scrounge in the junkyard and find some that will work.

You also need the adapter (diode) to make it work. See the article on the inliners site for the details:
http://www.inliners.org/tech/12v.html