Leece-Neville Generating Unit.

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arps corporation

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I picke dup a 1951-52 Ford F-6 school Bus, with a Flat Head 6 cylinder, and instead of the usual generator, in its place was a unit that looks more like a Altinator. Not a modern one, but something much older. The tag on it says Leece-Neville and the voltage is 7 volts. There is another item bolted to the cylinder head that looks to be like some kind of dry recitifer, as the wires from the altinator go from there to the recitifer, and then up to the unit which is attached to the outside of the fire wall, on the drivers side. On this unit it says Leece-Neville Generating Unit. So what is is actually? A altinator or a heavy duty generator? If u wanna see pics of it, send me ur cell phone number so I can send the pics via a picture text message. This looks to be a factory job. So is it a Altenator or a heavy duty generator? Not quite sure, but I am leaning toward a heavy duty generator. Anybody who can help me out feel free. Thank u.
 
It's an alternator, the recitifier is seperate in the box, and most likely there is also a regulator on the firewall that looks like a larger generator regulator with 2 releys inside, one is a turn on reley, the other is a voltage regulator.
 
There was a discussion not long ago about a fire truck that had one of those old alternator systems. Many school busses have extra heater units as well as all the extra lights and big Motorola radios that many were equiped with so they needed the extra amperage.
 
I've got one of the Leece-Neville alts (and regulator). We could compare, if you want to. The one that I have was bought new about 73-75, and after using it for a short time, I've been storing it. The reason for buying it was, at the time, this was the way to get a high (for the time) output. I forget the numbers, but the Leece-Neville put out considerably more amps than was available with 'factory' alternators.
Today, this would sound 'phony', as many current automotive systems put out more amps than the old Leece-Neville. JMO
 
100 amp Leece Neville's were common place back in the 50's. Almost every cop car and fire truck had one. Most ham radio guys with mobile rigs had them also.
The selenium rectifier stacks were the weak point and it didn't take long for the hams to figure out a remedy with surplus diodes available.
Another big advantage to them was the main output terminals were readily accessible so they could be hooked to an appropriate transformer to obtain 120v ac in your truck for saws, drills or any series motor electric tool.
 
Thank u everybody. I was wondering about using it to obtain 120 Volts, as the bus was used as a camper just before I got it. And they did have lights in there, and they were 120 volt, and the guy told me all they did was run the motor in the bus when they wanted lights. So now my next question is, is this a rare unit, today? I had the bus running, and everything seems to be working as it should. The Altenator charges as it should. Is the unit worth anything, Dry Recitifer, Altinator, and Generating Unit box? By itself? The bus will not be used again, motor will come out and be used in something else, and I will use a regulator factory generator on the motor. I will just remove the Altinator, Dry Recifier, and Generator Unit box, and put it away, and hopefully by the time I am 50 or older it will be worth a little something. Thank u all for ur help. Very much appreciated.
 
I also have another Altinator on this same order but it came off a late 1960's to mid 70's International Load Star 1800. Motor was a 345 cubic inch V-8. The Altinator is heavier that all get up. I never looked at the tag, but probably also is a Leece-Neville, as well.
 
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