The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay how to: alternator conversion?

well it looks like im gonna need to put in an alternator so i can run my sound system. How exactly is this done? an overview would be great, and can an amatuer complete this on his own?

Hey, a altenator conversion is easy and one of the best things i have done to my 64. Besides your brackets,(if your are running a v-8 there are no changes there), all you need to do is either go to your local altenator shop and have them convert alater model intrnal regulator altenator to a "self exciting regulator". This cost me an additional 8.00$ or so. Then all you have to connect is the 1 big red wire.If you need a voltmeter your altenator man can explain the easiest way to connect it. This is easy, cheap, and fast. My truck starts better and actually ideles with bright lights! Good luck.

Hey Mike, I agree with Blu. It's easy and by far the best thing I've done to improve my 62. I don't remember much about the wiring aspects except that it was super simple. The one thing I do remember was the mounting. All I had to do was get a piece of 3/8" all-thread rod about 6 or 8 inches long, and a handfull of nuts for the bottom mount (get extra nuts to use for lock nuts) and I had to do some grinding and bending but was able to use the old generator mount to make a top mount for the alternator. Some of the gang here really helped me out a bunch with leads to sights where I could get wiring schematics, etc. but right off hand I don't remember where they were. I'll try to find them and get back to you. Good Luck!
David

Okay, I just did a search and found this URL that somebody sent me when I was getting ready to do the conversion on mine... It's a lot of information, but it's good stuff and I think it will be helpful.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml

Good question, Mike!

I'm going to move this thread to the Electrical Forum, though. Randy Rundle is a master of the electrical stuff, and I think he has some gouge on how to do that, too.

Thanks,
John

Here's what I've discovered to be the best way to wire up an alternator -- gotten from MadElectrical research (see link above):
Check This Out

Here is a web page with info on three kinds of alternators. Take your choice.

does anyone know an idea of the cost of this conversion??

anyone???

The cost depends on what you have to buy, where you buy it, used or new. I got mine off a Cadillac that's been sitting in my woods for 20 years so it cost me nothing. I wired it myself using wires off the Cadillac. I re-drilled my generator bracket to make it work.

Jim Carter sells a harness for $25, a bracket kit for $52 and an alternator for $62.