Converting Alterenator back to Generator

burly

burly

Senior Member
Sometime during it's life someone converted the 34 over to a 12 volt system using a 2 wire GM alternator without a voltage regulator. Not sure how but it appears to still be using 6 volt lamps and original amp meter? I came across a recently converted 12 volt mid 40's generator with a new voltage regulator and would like to convert it back to the generator mainly for aesthetics. There's plenty of info on switching from a 6 volt generator to a 12 volt alternator system but having trouble finding specifics on converting 12 volt alternator to a 12 volt generator. Thought maybe some of you guys may have made a similar conversion and might be willing to share some information or let me know where I might go to find out the correct way to make it work. I already had the screw on pulley with the 4 bolt fan attachment. I wish it was as simple as unhooking the 2 wires from the alternator and fastening to the generator but I afraid that won't be the case. Thanks guys!
 
Speedway an others have alternators made to look like a stock early Ford generator. No real advantage in going back to 12v gen. As it still won't be stock and if just for as esthetics go with the alternator that looks like the Gen. & maintain the bennifits of the more modern alternators. As for your amp meter it doesn't care if it's 12v or 6v as its registering Amps not Volts. I'm sure either you have a resistor reducing voltage on the power going to your lamps or have 12v replacement bulb.
 
I haven't seen anyway to mount the fan to those alternators your talking about and that's a real advantage to me. The last time I checked those power masters are running around 400 - 500 bucks so I think I'll stick with what I've got if I can't find out how to hook up the 12 volt flathead generator, that's really the information I'm looking for.


AnthonyG said:
Speedway an others have alternators made to look like a stock early Ford generator. No real advantage in going back to 12v gen. As it still won't be stock and if just for as esthetics go with the alternator that looks like the Gen. & maintain the bennifits of the more modern alternators. As for your amp meter it doesn't care if it's 12v or 6v as its registering Amps not Volts. I'm sure either you have a resistor reducing voltage on the power going to your lamps or have 12v replacement bulb.
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No idea how 6v bulbs work on 12v, maybe something else going on. But; if the both are 12v and the same polarity, it should be pretty simple; mount the regulator and generator, connect the battery wire that was on the alternator to the battery terminal on the regulator, connect the field & armature wires between the generator and regulator. Remove the second wire that was on the alternator. Polarize it, should be good to go.
 
burly said:
Sometime during it's life someone converted the 34 over to a 12 volt system using a 2 wire GM alternator without a voltage regulator. Not sure how but it appears to still be using 6 volt lamps and original amp meter? I came across a recently converted 12 volt mid 40's generator with a new voltage regulator and would like to convert it back to the generator mainly for aesthetics. There's plenty of info on switching from a 6 volt generator to a 12 volt alternator system but having trouble finding specifics on converting 12 volt alternator to a 12 volt generator. Thought maybe some of you guys may have made a similar conversion and might be willing to share some information or let me know where I might go to find out the correct way to make it work. I already had the screw on pulley with the 4 bolt fan attachment. I wish it was as simple as unhooking the 2 wires from the alternator and fastening to the generator but I afraid that won't be the case. Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
There is no real challenge to switching to a 12v generator. Just connect it up like a stock setup. I would use a 40 or so wiring diagram as a guide. The 56 pickup wiring diagram might also prove helpful as it's 12v. Just remember and keep track of the polarity, I would assume you currently have it neg ground and want to keep it that way. See if any of these diagrams help any.
 

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I like the old Fords with stock appearing parts. I had several GM 6 volt alternators
given to me by a friend that had them on his and his fathers car for about a week.
They said they didn't work as good as the original 6 volt generator they way they
used them on short around town drives. These had stock pulleys. I put it on my 39
and found the same problem. Talked to the old guy at my motor, generator shop
and put 24 volt stators in them and they worked perfect, slightly charging at idle.
I didn't like the looks of the GM alternator and made 7 stock Ford alternators into
6 volt POS ground alternators. These have an adjustable regulator that I can adjust
the output with a screw in the back cover to 7.3 or what ever I want. I would never
be happy with a generator again.
 

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no personal experience here, but was'nt there some issues about running a fan mounted on the delco alternators and the shaft or bearing could not handle the load resulting in fans going thru the hood? do you still have the stock fan on your 34? that is a slick deal that GM made
 
GM: Ever think of making and altering those for sale? Team up with your guy at the motor/generator shop and get that ball rolling.
 
Great info here. I like your conversion GM and thanks for posting the link to FunProjects.com for that voltage regulator swanwaco32.
 
Yes, It appears to be mounted to one of the speedway alternator fan adapters. I'd heard about that too. Another reason I wanted to change it.

cas3 said:
no personal experience here, but was'nt there some issues about running a fan mounted on the delco alternators and the shaft or bearing could not handle the load resulting in fans going thru the hood? do you still have the stock fan on your 34? that is a slick deal that GM made
Click to expand...
 
19Fordy said:
GM: Ever think of making and altering those for sale? Team up with your guy at the motor/generator shop and get that ball rolling.
Click to expand...

The problem is people don't believe or have any idea of how many
6 volt alternators could be sold just through Ford Barn. The "old guy"
has turned the business over to the younger ones. I tried a little to
get them interested. When I go back up to Pa. in July I will go and go
over it with the one running the shop now and get a approximant price
of what it will cost. Then I will put the info with their phone number
and email address on here and see how much interest we can stir up.
G.M.
 
cas3 said:
no personal experience here, but was'nt there some issues about running a fan mounted on the delco alternators and the shaft or bearing could not handle the load resulting in fans going thru the hood? do you still have the stock fan on your 34? that is a slick deal that GM made
Click to expand...

On the GM alternators I had they had a Ford generator mounting on
the front with another bearing so the fan is no problem. G.M.
 
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