I like the original generator look but the power reliability of an alternator is beneficial, especial when adding modern equipment like an electric fan or radio, better headlights, as well as charging benefits.
Looking for experiences, pros, cons. Price may wind up being the deciding factor. This definitely not a concourse build.
Thanks
Ed
"it's only old if you can't find a use for it; otherwise it's cool and i'll use it."
The inside housing of the generator is turned down to make the alternator fit inside. Even with a heat transfer compound between the two, the Gener-nator overheats. There is also the issue with the internal fan moving enough air to keep the unit cool.
The design is patented (see attachment).
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
I haven't but a friend did and said it was a big mess. First...really expensive. I wouldn't swear to it, but I believe he paid something like $900. Just flat crazy expensive. Second...it didn't last. As I recall, his burned out within 6 months. It ran hot. If as you said this is not a concourse build, I'd just get a common alternator and leave it at that.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
Kelvinski, your cut n' paste is hard to read but thanks for the reminder. Thanks for the correction. I read that information last year and simply remembered wrongly. It comes with age. I forgot so my above statements are poo poo. An outer alternator case is not inside the generator case. The parts inside are special made to fit inside a stock appearance generator case.
I shamelessly borrowed a picture of an engine (attached). It's not mine. My statements below are "suppositions" and only concern our old Chevrolet/GMC trucks. Anyone reading this will have to make up their own minds.
The stock generator is below the exhaust manifold that is a terrible heat generator. It's also behind the radiator where hot air is pulled through the coils into the face of the generator. The generator air flow is aided by the small front pulley fan through the body and via small openings in the rear.
A normal size alternator has a larger diameter with more openings for cooling. It's not as long as a generator so it's mass is farther away from the exhaust manifold.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
buoymaker. All valid points. Mine will run even slightly closer to the exhaust as I am going to run Fenton headers. Jon G got it right, I did read in the literature it is around $1k, but had not known of anyone that actually paid for one. As much as I would like to, it just doesn't seem worth it.
"it's only old if you can't find a use for it; otherwise it's cool and i'll use it."
They're mostly for trailer queens whose only mileage is clocked driving in and out of an enclosed trailer at a car show. That's a long way from the real world of a daily driver. Fairly recently, reasonably-priced conversions of the 10 SI internal-regulated alternator have become available in both positive and negative ground 6 volt versions. That's a good thing for the people who want the reliability of an alternator without having to go through the expense and effort of a 12 volt conversion just to have an alternator. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Thank you Jerry. My plan was a 12v conversion all along. As i said earlier, I like the look of the original generator, but the reliability and consistency of the alternator is hard to ignore. Plus better lighting, a modern radio and who knows whet else in the future. If I get the gener-nator It will be quite some time before I can afford all of that. Mechanical-economics I suppose.
"it's only old if you can't find a use for it; otherwise it's cool and i'll use it."
Do these still exist? From a Delco Remy publication circa 1960 from my high school auto mech class. High output generators available in 1960 cars and trucks. It seems one of these would be perfect for those wanting more output without losing the authenticity of a generator. Showing up to 55 amps from a 12 volt generator used in taxicabs, police cars, and others. Does anyone have experience with these? I don't want one but if one were available it might suit someone like the OP that wants the 'original generator look'.
Also shown is the "extra output AC generator" that uses the same mounting as the standard generator. A period correct alternator.
That "period correct" alternator is almost six inches in diameter and well over a foot long, and has a close resemblance to a generator other than the size. It required a pretty sophisticated regulator, and was used mostly on medium-duty and big trucks. The 55 amp generator can be recognized by the ball bearing rear end plate it has, and it required a special 2-contact regulator that had a pretty complicated adjustment sequence. It was used on cars like the Olds 98, the Buick Roadmaster, and most of the Cadillacs with lots of electrical accessories, and commercial vehicles like delivery trucks that did a lot of starting and stopping in the course of a day's work. Most of those heavy duty generators had a 2-sheave pulley to handle the load of the heavy charging current they could produce. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
