6V battery will not hold a charge

"Not sure BULLET proof is an accurate description of a Generator , OTHER than appearance, a Generator fails in every comparison of performance. ESPECIALLY if added accessory's on vehicle"
You realize of course that thems fighten' words....:)
 
:) :) But am almost complete with a Very normal/affordable priced Alternator enclosed in a Original generator case, to eliminate the one and only minus of an alternator conversion, So all is Good :) :)
 
I would say that the generator is more reliable than an alternator. It's also easier on the belt and water pump. My original generator keeps my battery fully charged at all times, and my original headlamps are plenty bright for night driving.

Even if I lived in a hot state and wanted to add A/C, I'd install a larger generator, rather than an alternator.
 
Tom, Understand your personal preference, But Honestly , Curious as to what information you base your statement on? , Because as your generator creates power through its armature and brushes across the commentator , the exchange causes quite a lot more erosion/heat than even slightly compared to an alternator , notice the smaller lighter brushes in an alternator, AND other than the fact that majority simply over tighten belt because they think they have to , a Alternator would be easier on the belt and water pump, a reason why the pulley we use has a deeper groove ,. for more contact area, better grip at a lower tension rate
 
Alternator Design

  • AC alternators are more complex, because the AC must be converted to DC and this takes extra circuitry. Theoretically, an alternator can act as an AC motor, but it will not be a very good motor. Also, unlike the generator, the alternator requires some power to generate electricity. However, an alternator produces a large amount of electricity and may provide enough electricity to power all the devices on a car without taxing the battery at all.

  • Power Generation
    • The generator is the exact opposite of the alternator. In the generator, a winding of wires is spun inside a magnetic field to create a current. In an alternator, a magnetic field is spun inside a winding of wires. Efficiency is on the alternator's side, as the wire winding is the biggest and heaviest part of both devices, so the alternator is spinning the lightest part. This means the alternator can work at a higher speed, creating more power at lower speeds.



    • Alternators tend to be more reliable than generators, largely because of the difference in how they each use rings and brushes. Generators use split brushes, which wear more quickly, as the brushes rub against them; the brushes wear out also. An alternator uses solid rings, which cause less wear and reduce problems caused by the constant making and breaking of the circuit, because the brushes "jump" the gaps in the split rings.



 
I base my statement on real life experience. I've had to repair alternators more than generators. The small diameter of the alternator means less belt contact area and therefore the belt must be tighter to not slip. I restored my powerhouse in the early 90's and don't expect to have to remove the back cover in my lifetime. I bought my junkyard battery 10 years ago and it's still going strong. I've seen more than a few alternators go bad and overcharge batteries. Just want to make sure everyone gets accurate information.:)
 
Apples and Oranges.
Alternators are more efficient,lighter, produce more at lower RPMs and can be spun faster. So, in 1961 Chrysler started installing some.[ first I saw anyway]
We all know generators were being phased out in the 60s. They are older technology, heavier, less efficient, etc.
So, would I install an generator on a 60s or newer vehicle that came with an alternator, nope.
Conversely, would I install an alternator on an older care that had no idea what an alternator was and had never heard of one. Again, nope. A generator can be repaired inexpensively and made as 'bullet-proof ' as anything can get, especially with one of Toms EVRs.
There may well be a reason for someone to put an alternator on their 'A'. After-all its their vehicle and in this country, for the being, they can do as they please.
But, to me, that just ain't right. Thats my opinion and for right now I'm sticking to it. Of course we know what my opinion is worth.
Oh, I've also repaired a whole lot more alternators than generators which stands to reason just by looking at them.
 
Absolutely On the Accurate information, and yes I am sure it is a personal preference if one experiences bad times themselves with an alternator, Just wanted to add the facts that an alternator normally out performs a Generator in every category, am sure there is always an exception to the rule as there are MANY outside factors that can affect an alternator or any other electrical device, many find these other factors to be the reason why a unit would be pushed to failure, as Your over charging statement is mainly caused by a bad cell in a battery , loose connection or other factor causing the unit to be asked for more, inaccurately, and also I want to add with the evolution of electronics, a Transistor regulator usually either fails(stops) working or works properly, the days of a regulator , as they say , coming and going and being irregular with its output , like mechanical regulators are prone to do quite often, is practically over, the full charge (blown) symptom of transistor regulators has been practically eliminated. and honestly many more problems with the Generator regulators and cutouts is the normal case.
 
As for the Repaired more Alternators than generator statements,, I am sure the numbers of Alternators in operation by far exceed Generators and also the amperage load demands are excessive compared to generators, also the conditions of use and abuse to these units also have input to that factor, That being said, is not an accurate determination that an alternator is of any less quality than a generator, it truly comes down to one factor, personal preference and appearance on a antique vehicle (originality) , But for functionality , performance, durability and simplicity, an Alternator can not be out done in comparison
 
I just purchased a brand-new CS model Delco alternator (6v positive ground) from MRALTERATOR and I'd like to report that it is excellent! It kicks out tons of amperage compared to my old one, is a more compact design (like a generator) and MRALTERNATOR even helped me install it! Admittedly he lives near me in North Carolina, but bringing it out to my house, now that's customer service!
I just took my 31 Coupe out for a joy ride and it is so nice to be back out on the road with her!
 
also worthy of note is, when you add a Regulator to a Generator that ORIGINALLY had a cut out. is that not a deviation of originality? yes I understand the more or less change thing, BUT who decides the line of to much change to an accepted amount? Just curious , is it a club parameter or national parameter or? personal preference perhaps?
I would think many would consider ANY change to be a
NOT ORIGINAL,
Regardless a change is just that, a change right?
 
mralternator said:
also worthy of note is, when you add a Regulator to a Generator that ORIGINALLY had a cut out. is that not a deviation of originality? yes I understand the more or less change thing, BUT who decides the line of to much change to an accepted amount? Just curious , is it a club parameter or national parameter or? personal preference perhaps?
I would think many would consider ANY change to be a
NOT ORIGINAL,
Regardless a change is just that, a change right?
Click to expand...

Yep, agreed. A good original cutout works just fine, but, adjusting the brush for output can be a PITA. An internally mounted EVR is a nice 'change' which isn't seen.
Maybe I'm a bit of a hypocrite, but any change that isn't seen I'm probably OK with. If someone wants a 'circumcised' Mitchell transmitter, a higher speed ring and pinion, leakless water pump or steering box, I'm fine with stuff like that. Call me crazy......Don't call me late for happy hour.
 
"But for functionality , performance, durability and simplicity, an Alternator can not be out done in comparison"

This just isn't so in my world.
And, they just don't look right on a Model A, much like the 6 blade plastic fan is just wrong.
 
To close out the thread, it was a bad battery. Everything working just fine now. I am new to 6V auto battery and was shocked that 4 years is the typical lifespan even when I bring the battery out of the car during the winter. Thanks for all the advice.
 
TMB said:
To close out the thread, it was a bad battery. Everything working just fine now. I am new to 6V auto battery and was shocked that 4 years is the typical lifespan even when I bring the battery out of the car during the winter. Thanks for all the advice.
Click to expand...

I've done over 10 years on the last two 6 volts and never got only 4 years from one.
 
Tom, what are the brands of the two batteries you mention? I have the same poor durability of 6 volt batteries that TMB has experienced. Very different from yrs ago.

But in a way I suspect all batteries now are made by Exide and just have various brand labels slapped on them. The EPA crashed down hard on the battery makers due to the issues w/ lead...
 
In the 70's my neighbor gave me an Interstate 6 volt battery he had laying in his garage. I got 12 years out of it, and I mistreated it badly. I'll have to see what the name is on my current battery that I bought from a recycling yard almost 10 years ago.

The other battery is in my 28 Phaeton and is a "STARTRITE" by EPM products in Baltimore, MD.
 
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