1951 Ford Heavy Duty Generator/Regulator

[JLford]

Hi Everyone,

I replaced the bullets in my grille today with some clear road lamps to help night driving (and for the cool factor!). They look and work great, but I'm worried about the load it will be putting on my stock electric setup.

Does anyone know where I can source parts for the heavier duty 40 or 60 amp set ups (both the generator and regulator)? I know I could go with an alternator, but If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

Have you checked the output to the load----most likely you don't have to do anything if your charging system is working properly

 

[rotorwrench]

The 40 amp units are rare and hard to find parts for. They were mostly used on Lincoln cars. Special alternator set ups from Leece Neville were used on large emergency vehicles like fire trucks and some police cars with two way radio sets and they are even harder to find parts for.

Accessory lamps were available for Ford & Mercury cars but they are a smaller lower amp draw bulb than a head lamp so they don't tax the 35 amp systems all that bad as long as there aren't other added electrical loads as well. If you change the bulbs with higher watt types then a change to a 12-volt system with an alternator might be your best bet.

 

[JLford]

The 40 amp units are rare and hard to find parts for. They were mostly used on Lincoln cars. Special alternator set ups from Leece Neville were used on large emergency vehicles like fire trucks and some police cars with two way radio sets and they are even harder to find parts for.

Accessory lamps were available for Ford & Mercury cars but they are a smaller lower amp draw bulb than a head lamp so they don't tax the 35 amp systems all that bad as long as there aren't other added electrical loads as well. If you change the bulbs with higher watt types then a change to a 12-volt system with an alternator might be your best bet.

The new lamps are 18 watts, do you think they'll tax the system too much?

 

[rotorwrench]

I doubt it will. Now if you put in 150 watt landing light bulbs, it definitely will. If you run it a lot at night, just make sure and keep the electrical system in good shape with at least 12-month scheduled maintenance of battery and 24-month cleaning of ground connections. The battery and generator will be a lot kinder to you for it.