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| | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 84 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 84 | I'm converting my 6 volt '51 to 12 volt. I have a 1960 235 and I will be trying to installing a one wire alternator. Looking in Classic Industries catalogue for ideas I noticed that amperage varies from model to model. Fo a 1960 inline 6 it needs a 30 amp alternator. Any concerns if I get one that is more that 30?
Thanks | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | You need enough alternator to power all the accessories you will be running with it. Figure out how many amps your accessories will be using and get a bigger alternator.
A side note: One wire alternators are fine for tractors and stuff with no accessories but if you plan to use lots of amperage you need an alternator that will sense usage within the system. A lot of people will tell you one wire alternators are fine but not many people that understand electric systems will. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,851 | Get at least a 65 amp alternator. 100 is better. The alternator will not supply any more current than the battery needs, so ignore those low-amperage suggestions. Even a 12 volt generator had a capacity of 35 to 50 amps, depending on the model and application. I can't imagine any reason you would need an alternator with less capacity than the generator it's replacing!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,002 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,002 | Like Cletis said, but don't forget to add in the lights too.
Larry
I don't own a vehicle that isn't old enough to drink.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | I would use a 55-65 amp. 3 wire alt unless you are running an electric fan or some other high powered accesory. There is not a lot of belt contact on that 6 cyl. engine. A higher out put will slip the belt under heavy loads.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 238 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 238 | When you're upgrading from 6 to 12 volts, it's worth remembering that your new 12v alternator delivers twice as much power per amp charge as your 6v generator did. A 65A 12V alternator delivers 780 watts, you'd need a 130 amp 6V generator to deliver the same power.
Alternators and generators are always quoted in terms of amps output, but it's the wattage that powers the electrical systems on your truck. The wattage demand won't change much unless you fit some power hungry accesories while you're going from 6 to 12 volts.
Stuart.
Last edited by Stuart_Giles; 03/22/2010 10:44 AM. Reason: typo.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,557 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,557 | I used a 63amp alternator on my pickup and suburban.
1951 3100 Chevrolet1951 Chevrolet Suburban CarryallImage"A house is built with boards and beams. A home is built with love and dreams." "Look deep before you leap !!!" / "Everything is Everything" "If I say a mouse can pull a house, hitch him up"
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