The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Converted gen to 12v. Have a question.

I had my original generator converted to 12 v. (new fields).

1. What regulator do I need? Are all 12v regulators created equal or are there specs I need to know about?

2. Any ideas what the amp output of my generator would be (for adding accessories)?

3. I already have a shunt in the fuel gauge circuit, but need a resistor for the heater blower. There are several different resistors out there. What's best for this application? Also, I have a coil with built-in resistor. I'm replacing all of the light bulbs. Any 6v items I might be forgetting? Is the horn ok at 12v?

For the heater you need a 1 ohm 50 watt resistor. Some of the vendors sell them. Here is what one looks like resistor for blower motor For the fuel gauge you need a 30 ohm resistor of around a 2 watt rating, in series with the supply, not connected as a shunt. The horn will be very loud on 12 volts but you need a 12 volt horn relay.

That big heater resistor gets super hot and needs to be mounted in a way to be sure it doesn't touch anything. Now knowing better I should have just bought a 12V blower motor instead.

The resistor that I referenced is meant to be mounted on some sheet metal to dissipate the heat. In any case, a 12 volt motor is always a better solution.

Dave,

I posted this request previously when Stovebolters want to replace their 6v heater motor with a 12v ...

If you decide to replace with a 12v motor, please do not destroy the 6v motor. I'm sure that other members would like to have it.

Thanks,

The simple fix for the hot resistor is to put it INSIDE the blower motor output duct. The air blowing across it will make it last longer, and keep it from starting a fire or injuring someone. A couple of rubber grommets in the blower duct will insulate the wires, and the resistor is contained safely inside the ductwork.
Jerry

1. What regulator do I need? Are all 12v regulators created equal or are there specs I need to know about?

2. Any ideas what the amp output of my generator would be (for adding accessories)?


NO, not all regulators are alike, they have specific amperage settings and should match the amperage output of the generator. Your local shop should have tested the generator for amperage output, load tested the generator and done this within the correct RPM ranges. This is all going to depend on how they built the generator. This tells you what the generator is capable of doing. If the generator will do 40 amps max then go with a regulator that is pre-set for a range of 35-38 amps. All good rebuilders have access to a very large selection of replacement Delco Voltage regulators. Now days there are only 2 regulator manufacturers, one brand is made in USA the other is made in India....stay away from the INDIA brand....They have a cheap price for a reason I personally refuse to sale them. The other option is to find a NOS Delco or older aftermarket reg. but you still need to know the amperage output of the gen. Once you know this and if your local shop cant put you on to a good quality regulator then Message me and I can help you out.

You mentioned adding accessories. This should have been worked out the the folks building the converted generator. They needed some idea of what your adding.
If you know what your doing your original generator could be built to produce 45 to 50 amps, this isnt going to happen with just changing field coils, you will have to change armature as well and then again, the regulator has to match. Typically if you have a 45 amp 6 volt generator and you do a typical conversion to 12 volt you loose some amperage. Not that big of a deal but if you want to convert to 12 volt and increase amperage output thats a different ballgame and you need to know what your doing to achieve that goal.
If the generator will do 45-50 amps and you install a 25 amp rated regulator your higher amp generator wont do over 25 amps.
Sorry for the lengthy post but trying to be as informative as possible so that you understand whats going on.
Ken

I've decided to just go ahead and put in a 12v motor. I'll be sure and keep the 6v one with all the other spare parts I'm accumulating.

As for the gas gauge resistor I mis-stated what I installed. It was a runtz resistor and installed per the instructions that came with it.

Ken,
As for the generator. It was converted by a person that does farm equipment electrical work. All I know is he put in new field coils. He is some distance away. Would a local shop be able to test the generator or is it something I can do? This is the regulator I was considering using (I'm not finding local parts houses to carry regulators compatible with generators): regulator
I see it does not have an amperage listed.
BTW, the only accessory I'm needing is a sound system with PA for parades. I have not checked what the load requirement is.
Thanks for your help.

Personally I would go with that regulator. In my 55 second series manual, the 12 volt regulator is set for 24 to 27 Amps maximum.

The only way you will know the true amperage output is by taking it to a local starter and alternator shop and have them test it with a tester that will show the actual amperage output.
The regulator in the link would probably do you. Im sure that the generator will at least do 25 amps. Its not hard to reach that by any means. If all your adding is a PA then you will probably be good. Put in a good strong CCA battery and not some little something and that wont hurt either.
Ken

Thanks.

I will make sure we put in a good quality battery with a high cca.