6 volt alternator positive ground as an alt?

Stl Tkn

Stl Tkn

Junior Member
I am either going to rebuild my 1930 generator or buy a 6v alternator as a replacement. Not intending to show the car other than in parades. Any thoughts out there about how well they work or has anyone had problems with the swap out? Dennis
 
Dennis, I had a 6 volt, positive ground, single wire on my previous car. Worked perfect, always fully charged battery & started with a quick WHIZ, almost as if it was on 12 volt!
Bill W.
 
For me the original generator has been more reliable than the delco alternator(same one most + ground 6V ones are made out of) on my 74 chevy ---the A generator has 40 years no problems, the delco in the chevy has been apart 3 times in 30 years

Belts last longer with a generator, they don't need to be as tight with the large pulley

You can use quartz halogen bulbs with a generator --I have been using 35 watt bulbs for the last 14 years

Many times when an alternator is used a battery tender and or shutoff switch is needed because the one wire alternator uses a little electric all the time
 
What Kurt said!

There is less to go wrong in the generator also.
I rebuilt my powerhouse about 20 years ago and don't expect to have to touch it again in my lifetime.
 
Kurt, mine, apparently didn't have a draw, although I never tested it for one. With NO trickle charger, or tender, and a 6 year old battery, Minerva sat for 4 months while I was in the hospital and started up, as if she had been driven just yesterday!! Bill W.
 
Its your choice, many use alternators and like them. Personally, alternators on an 'A' just ain't right. A good generator along with one of Tom W's regulators is as bullet-proof as you can get, and, it looks right.
 
All good info. All of the alternators that charge 12 volt , that I know of , that are sold for use on the model A are negative ground. I prefer the generator, because it is original and I can fix them. I run an unmodified original generator on 12 volt positive ground. No wires have to be changed. I run the 12 volt 35 watt halogen headlamp bulbs. I use the Fun Projects can style regulator that replaces the cut out. If you want the more powerful halogen headlamp bulbs, you will be better with a 60 amp alternator, in 6 volt positive ground or 12 volt negative. its your choice.
 
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Thanks all for the great advice. Still not sure what I will do, as I remember years ago rebuilding generators on old cars that I owned and remembering how great it was once the alternator came along. There are 6v alternators now for sale made especially (?) for our older vehicles, BUT the comment "it just ain't right" is really resonating. Pat...can you give me a bit more on your comment " Tom W's regulators" please...THANKS ALL!! Dennis
 
Stl Tkn said:
Thanks all for the great advice. Still not sure what I will do, as I remember years ago rebuilding generators on old cars that I owned and remembering how great it was once the alternator came along. There are 6v alternators now for sale made especially (?) for our older vehicles, BUT the comment "it just ain't right" is really resonating. Pat...can you give me a bit more on your comment " Tom W's regulators" please...THANKS ALL!! Dennis
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Post #4. Tom is a regular contributor and makes a great regulator. Send him a PM and I think he'll set you up.
 
I have a 6v + ground on mine and I'm very happy with it. I agree they don't look right. I needed to rebuild my generator shortly after I got my coupe. I was given the alternator so it made it an easy decision. I think it makes the lights a bit brighter at night and the brake lights are probably brighter.
Mine a NU-REX brand if that matters
 
I own an alternator shop and I run a generator. Delco released a bulletin back in the '70's, a 10si at 12V can run a battery down in about 7 years. One wire alt's are internally sensed but I do not believe they have secondary voltage protection.

To each his own. It just looks wrong. Now I'm not driving thousands of miles a year or do much if any night driving, even in modern cars. Dang old old age.

What ever you do get a good one. Turn on speeds can be quite high and I don't believe anyone is making AC fired 6V 10SI VR's. AC fired will cut in at very slow speeds.
 
thanks all for all of your help!!! My first "A" restoration, so I will be back on here a LOT. Hope you don't get tired of my rookie questions!!! Dennis
 
Stl Tkn said:
thanks all for all of your help!!! My first "A" restoration, so I will be back on here a LOT. Hope you don't get tired of my rookie questions!!! Dennis
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Congratulations on you restoration and of course we are here to help.

Remember it is easier to replace then to fix, but what sense of accomplishment is there in just swapping our old for new?

If you were restoring an orphan car (one that there is little help or parts) then you have little choice but to swap out for modern or spend big bucks to have a one off part made.

The Model A has the largest documentation, parts, and assistance then any other 20's 30's cars (other then the T).
 
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