Advice on Generator vs Alternator

Rustedjunk

Rustedjunk

Senior Member
Since my generator is fried, I have to replace it. My car is going to be 12 Volts. And my 47 has been rewired with a remake of the original wiring harness. I've seen converted generator rebuilds on Ebay from $170 - $200 producing 40 amps. Powermaster sells an alternator that looks like a generator for $375 producing 90 amps. Then on the Ford Barn I read a thread and discovered EJ Whitney and had a great conversation with him. His alternator conversion using my existing generator cost around $450 producing 40 amps. That one is a little steep. I want an original look to my 47. I'm looking for input and advice. What would you suggest?
 
More is not especially better unless you have a reason for more. Even if you have unlimited funds.

Don't go chasing higher amperage unless you have a definite need, such as a powerful amplifier or special lighting OR if you need to leave the headlights on for hours at a crime scene.

Admittedly I'm also against converting to 12v. I would certainly investigate the reason for your generator getting fried soas it doesn't recur.
 
Then I'll go with a 12V / 40 amp generator, and get a 12V regulator from a Thunderbird or something. Thanks you all for the input.
 
I am in OZ, so our available old parts are different.

I got an EH holden 12 volt generator and removed the mounting ears and fabricated a lookalike sliding bracket using the original sidevalve strap..

At a glance and not so expert V8 people, it passes for original (look).

Much nicer than an ugly modern alternator.
 
Pooch - Sounds like a reasonable compromise! I am rebuilding a '39 3 ton Ford flat tray and looking at somewhere like $A800 for a 12v new 6V replacement in Oz or similar out of US with exchange & freight. Be interested in a photo.
Maybe there are cheaper rebuild alternatives to go from 6 - 12V Phil
 
What part of your generator is "fried"? If its the coils you can replace them, I did. I am running the old 6 volt case and armature with 12 volt coils and a 12 regulator. I have had no issues, but its only been a year. Oh yeah, mine is the G series engine which has a generator all it's own.
 

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I respect your desire to stay "stock-looking" or even "stock-stock" .... But whatever form or appearance an alternator may take, functionally I like that they (1) are always charging, (2) have no brushes to wear-out or malfunction, (3) don't require an external regulator, (4) have less external wiring, and (5) they are inexpensive to repair. There's a old electric motor repair shop a mile fro m me which will test and repair an alternator within a few hours. The internal regulators are pretty much standard configurations and fit many housing.

My '47 came to me as a non-stock 12 volt and uses a 63 amp GM alt. With a good battery on-board .... Bright lights galore even at an idle. I'm good without LED's (which may need resistors to function).

An aside .... Bubba has a friend who wires alternators to use an external regulator.

No Chinese regulator parts please .... their longevity stinks.
 
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edhd58 said:
What part of your generator is "fried"? If its the coils you can replace them, I did. I am running the old 6 volt case and armature with 12 volt coils and a 12 regulator. I have had no issues, but its only been a year. Oh yeah, mine is the G series engine which has a generator all it's own.
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The armature is fried. I don't even know where to get parts to rebuild one what to get.
 
38FordTruck said:
Pooch - Sounds like a reasonable compromise! I am rebuilding a '39 3 ton Ford flat tray and looking at somewhere like $A800 for a 12v new 6V replacement in Oz or similar out of US with exchange & freight. Be interested in a photo.
Maybe there are cheaper rebuild alternatives to go from 6 - 12V Phil
Click to expand...

Gday Phil, here is the EH genny....could even be FE FC, FB, EK, EJ, dunno, they are all alike, just the one I have in car ATM does not have the cutout sections at brushes, not that that matters.
I will have to look, maybe one is Lucas and the other Bosch.





Took a bit of hunting at swap meets to find a wide pulley as all holdens have narrow ones.
Dunno what the pulley is off but it fits and I found 2, This second genny will go on my bus.



As can be seen, my engine is open , so a modern alternator would just not do.
 
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JSeery said:
I'm a Whitney fan! Looks original and fits (because it's your case).
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They didn't use the case on the one they built for me just the ends and front mount.I believe they make a new larger diameter case from aluminum tubing.
 
The center is aluminum tubing, but think your confusing Whitney with Power Master on the diameter. The Whitney keeps the original dia.
 

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pooch said:
Gday Phil, here is the EH genny....could even be FE FC, FB, EK, EJ, dunno, they are all alike, just the one I have in car ATM does not have the cutout sections at brushes, not that that matters.
I will have to look, maybe one is Lucas and the other Bosch.





Took a bit of hunting at swap meets to find a wide pulley as all holdens have narrow ones.
Dunno what the pulley is off but it fits and I found 2, This second genny will go on my bus.



As can be seen, my engine is open , so a modern alternator would just not do.
Click to expand...
Dlete
 
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