rfitz

R

rfitzpatrick

Well-known member
I need to replace my generator on my '31 A -- would I be better off going altn., instead of generator -- daily driver, not interested in orignal.
Thanks
 
If you are determined to put an alternator on it, I bought a Power Master, which looks like a generator complete with a dummy cutout. It works nice and doesn't detract from the "antique" look of the engine compartment.
 
I’ve been driving with generators for 60 years.

As Tom said, there easy to work on. Doesn’t take a lot to rebuild.

What are you looking to end up with. That’s your decision. Enjoy.
 
Thanks everyone -- after 4 years AirForce (1962/66) and 42 years -- all as an Acft Mechanic -- I don't want to work on the Truck - I want to drive the '31.
 
Go with the alternator. You don't want to work on the truck and if the alternator one day goes bad, alternators are available everywhere and any mechanic can trouble shoot it. Not so with generators any more.
 
Richard in Anaheim CA said:
Go with the alternator. You don't want to work on the truck and if the alternator one day goes bad, alternators are available everywhere and any mechanic can trouble shoot it. Not so with generators any more.
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Are you sure 6 volt positive ground alternators are available everywhere? How do you respond when the counterman that just started shaving asks "What year car so I can look it up in the computer?". My suggestion would be to have the generator rebuilt. The alternator just doesn't look right to me on a Model A.

Charlie Stephens
 
Go with a rebuilt generator. What is wrong with the one you have? Sometimes it is only brushes or a bad cutout that may be needed.
 
It depends on how the car will be used. If you plan on running accessories that draw a lot of amps , an alternator would be the best choice. I don't run any accessories and the original generator works good for me. I prefer the look and function of the generator and I can fix them.. Neither a generator or an alternator is easy to work on if you don't know how to fix them .
 
I'd go with the old worn out generator, after all, every car built since the mid 60s has come with a 1920s design generator and cut out on it, right? Oh, no, wait, they all have alternators, maybe there is something good about alternators after all. Could it be slip rings instead of a comutator, better regulation, and more output at slow speeds in a smaller more reliable package, or just less chance of a dead battery?

Or, you can carry a spare set of brushes, a spare cutout, and enough tools for a roadside seminar on generators. Your call...

Just my personal opinion for for what I'd do on a driver, not a recommendation for you or anything like that.
 
Chuck
I really liked his "Roadside Seminar" remark. Trying to avoid one. I'll probably alternator it.
I did put a magnetic sign on the side: Wet Paint

Thanks
 
Corley's spot on. Daily driver, not for show, go with alternator (one wire). Has built-in regulator, no more undercharged or boiled-out battery. Only issue is you have to rev the engine pretty good to get it to "self-excite". You can't hook up pin 1 (field terminal) of the regulator without an accessory switch to battery voltage, which the A doesn't have.
 
Not to scare you alternator guys, but the alternators failed on two different friend's Model A's. After hearing that, I'm back to generators. I keep my generator well oiled, and never had one fail on a trip yet. Alternators are NOT bullet proof.
 
Mike Peters said:
Not to scare you alternator guys, but the alternators failed on two different friend's Model A's. After hearing that, I'm back to generators. I keep my generator well oiled, and never had one fail on a trip yet. Alternators are NOT bullet proof.
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Yep, generators are fine, and easy to work on.
 
I converted my “driver” to 12V negative ground and 1-wire alternator. Simple conversion and still use the original starter which seems to be happy if you don’t stand on it too long. Very satisfied for 3 years now.
 
I hear all the talk about Generators being easy to work on. That may be true, but I would rather have something I don't have to work on. So far two out of three cars with alternators have worked just fine for years, but the third one didn't do so well with the generator so I put on an alternator a month back and now today it died. I guess nothing is bulletproof. Where do I start looking?
 
I have to chime in again.

I have never had an alternator on any of our Model A’s. Never cooked a battery, had a cutout fail, or had a problem driving at night.

Please don’t talk down to owners that still have generators. It’s our car, you do what you want, we do what we want. Some of us like to stay as orginal as possible.

It’s a hobby not a contest.
 
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