Convert generator to alternator

[Captain Neon]

Any body know where a guy might send an old generator in to be converted into a 6v+ alternator? I have been thinking about it for years and this may be the year to do it.

[55 Fargo]

There is one company in California, I am sorry I do not recall the name or location that does this, it is pricey. If you do not need originality, why not get a GM single wire 6 volt + grnd Alternator. These are made using the standard 12 volt Alt, usually cost around $100.00................Fred

[Captain Neon]

What other modifications would I need to make? Will it just bolt into my current mounting?

[Norm's Coupe]

There's also a place in Ohio that does that. Actually, the one in Ohio has Alternators already set up for 6 Volt cars. Believe it's the same one that fits on the Model T. Cost is about $100 to $125. Have his literature someplace for when your ready for it. You may have to supply your own pulley for the alternator though.

[Captain Neon]

Thanks Norm, I've got a bead on an old generator that needs to be rebuilt. I figure I can just have it shipped direct rather than cross-shipping from here. Save some coin. I'd be very interested in contact information especially since this guy in OH is similar in price to getting a GM alternator.

[bob_amos]

I own an auto electric shop in So. Cal. and one of the reps from the local NAPA store came by telling me of a company that uses a Mitsubishi alternator that is stuffed inside a generator body and can be made any voltage or ground you desire. Since my company and NAPA are no longer on speaking terms due to a fire that resulted from a faulty carb they sold me, and after promising to pay the bill, they did not pay and won't even answer us any more. We stopped contact with them. Anyway, your local store might be able to help you. They were suppose to be pricey but the flier that I saw was great. The only problem I see would be a non responsive counter man that is just too lazy to do the foot work to locate this company for you.

[Guest rockabillybassman]

In my opinion, you're better off using a 3 wire than a 1 wire. There are various advantages to a 3 wire, but the main one is you can have an idiot lamp as per a modern car. The wiring is barely any more complicated than a 1 wire. I've just put an alternator on my car after resisting it for the sake of period correctness, and wish I'd done it from the get go.

[Robin (UK)]

I got a 6v +ve ground alternator from this guy

http://www.mikes-afordable.com/miva/merchant.mv?

I'm quite happy with it.

The (more pricey) units, fitted into original generators are at

http://www.gener-nator.com/index.htm

Has anyone used this service?

I'd be interested to know how the unit performs.

[central52]

I'm curious. What are the advantages of having a 6 volt alternator compared to the original 6 volt generator? If said 6 volt generator is running fine with no problems? Ed P.

[Captain Neon]

Bob, I've had my own issues with NAPA. I got royally ripped off by a NAPA AutoCare Center, and contacted NAPA and all the other local NAPA AutoCare Centers. Talk about circling the wagons and a mutual admiration society! I only go to NAPA for filters now, and that is rarely, as my father-in-law regularly gifts me w/ MoPar oil filters. In fact, I'll go so far as to buy my filters from NAPA when I visit my parents in Minnesota rather than dealing w/ NAPA here in Colorado.

[Captain Neon]

$845?!? That guy in Oregon must be VERY proud of his work.

[Captain Neon]

Robin, were any modifications necessary to mount that 6v alternator to your L6?

[Robin (UK)]

Robin, were any modifications necessary to mount that 6v alternator to your L6?

No big issues.

Just let MIke know what the application is, so he supplies the correct pulley.

Then you'll need to fabricate a bracket (or speak to him regarding options on those)

[Don Coatney]

I have a 12 volt GM alternator installed in my P-15. I believe a 6 volt

alternator would be the came size. Here is how I did it using the

stock lower generator bracket with a hunk of all thread and a pair

of homemade stand offs.

[Chester Brzostowski]

Here is mine similar setup as Don but with a 6 vdc high output alternator.

Chet...

[bob_amos]

Yes, NAPA can be tough to deal with. They actually still have the box full of old burned up parts sitting on the desk of the local rep. The original rep OK'd the work and assured me I would not be left out in the cold. Well, he was transfered to another store and the new guy walked in one day. My service adviser almost threw him out bodily. But the guy said he was here to handle the trouble. A $1300 trouble too.... Well he said there would be no problem getting it paid as all the shops in my center, an upscale center too, are boycotting them because we stick together here. They want our high dollar business. Anyway, he never returned. We actually call corperates offices to talk to the guy who would be in charge of it and he has dodged our calles and will not return them. So.... you can see how they tend to work. Say whatever it takes to get your business them screw you if it's gonna cost them. Well, $1300 later, and that does not include full labour prices, I am left holding the bag. I'll never let a NAPA employee in my shop again and my write knows he will be fired if he buy anything from them. But he agrees and is the one that wanted to throw the guy off the lot....

[Norm's Coupe]

Thanks Norm, I've got a bead on an old generator that needs to be rebuilt. I figure I can just have it shipped direct rather than cross-shipping from here. Save some coin. I'd be very interested in contact information especially since this guy in OH is similar in price to getting a GM alternator.

Ok, but the literature is in the archives in the basement. Will dig it out sometime this weekend and post the info for you.

There is another place in Michigan too. They claim to supply everything you need. If you want to check them out here's their web site. http://www.alternatorparts.com/ Don't know what they charge for it though.

[Norm's Coupe]

I'm curious. What are the advantages of having a 6 volt alternator compared to the original 6 volt generator? If said 6 volt generator is running fine with no problems? Ed P.

Ed,

Personally, I don't see any advantage if your old generator and voltage regulator is working fine.

I have no idea of how old, or what the insides of my generator and voltage regulator looks like. All I did to those items when I rebuilt the engine was clean the outsides of them off. My coupe hasn't failed to start since I've owned it (June 95), except when the battery was dead. Starts right up.

My brother in law has 6 volt alternators on his 36 & 38 Fords, plus Mallory Ignition on both cars. His Fords don't start any faster or better than my P15 does.

So........in my opinion, unless you need a new generator or voltage regulator what's the point in switching over to an alternator. That's why I haven't changed mine.

Now, if the generator does go out, then I might consider switching. Depends on the cost to rebuild the generator. If my voltage regulator goes out, it's a no brainer because I have a spare new one in the box, so I'll still keep my generator.

The only advantage I can see to an alternator is if you want to run A/C or a lot of new electrical stuff on your car. Then you may need the extra current because the original generators only put out about 35 Amps, whereas you can step up to 65 or 100 amps with the new alternator.

[Captain Neon]

It looks like a GM 6v alternator is the way to go. My generator works fine, but I fried a generator once running my foglights, headlights, and tube radio. I decided that if I was ever to add my spotlights, I'd need to upgrade to an alternator. I also don't like how my headlights dim and brighten depending on my engine RPM with the generator. My generator works fine, just that an alternator would work better. It is something I have thought about for years, and have debated the pros and cons. Now that I know people that have installed a 6v alternator on a L6, I feel more confident as I am not entering uncharted waters.

[blueskies]

...you're better off using a 3 wire than a 1 wire....

Here's some light reading on why:

http://www.madelectrical.com/electrical-tech.shtml

The most important reason is "remote votage sensing". Three wire setups read the voltage at the power distribution panel, or fuse block, and one wire setups only read the voltage at the alternator, or power source. Three wire setups compensate for the voltage drop between the two and allow the alternator to adjust the output accordingly.

Pete

[Guest rockabillybassman]

Thanks Pete.

[Don Coatney]

Biggest benefit of an alternator over a generator is an alternator will put out close to a full charge at idle. A generator will not. Next benefit is the elimination of the voltage regulator (this happens when using an internally regulated alternator) and the potential problems associated with such regulator.

[bob_amos]

An alternator will give you a better charge rate at low and idle speeds. It recovers much quicker than a generator does. The down side to an alternator is that, while a generator can take a totally flat battery and charge it all day long , until it is fully charged, an alternator cannot do this. The rectifiers will overheat if it runs in a high output rate for a prolonged period of time. But all in all, an alternator is defenately the best way to go. That is, if originality is not your goal.

[Plymouthy Adams]

and that is why we have so many generators being put on new cars.....

[central52]

Thank you, guys, for all that info on generator/alternator options. I like to keep things simple, so, with my generator giving me no problems, and I don't plan to add on any electrical accessories, I'll keep it as is. Ed P.