Thought you all might like this modern tech

[1930artdeco]

For Christmas the wife got me this high tech book from 1932. I didn’t think the tech for an alternator came out this early.

Mike

[Y-Blockhead]

[Chuck Dempsey]

If alternator tech was available then, were other autos equipped with them? I know Ford was slow on some things (hydraulic brakes, ect)..

[alexiskai]

Does it tell you how to build an electromechanical voltage regulator?

[1930artdeco]

Alexiskai, haven't gotten that far into the book yet, but I would assume you need one.

Mike

[Patrick L.]

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The alternator was kinda discovered by a Frenchman named Pixii in about 1830, but, like many things I don't think he knew what to do with it.
The first car I know of that used one was Plymouth Valiant in 1960.

[Bob Bidonde]

The production installation of the alternator in cars was first by Chrysler in the 1960 Valiant. Ford incorporated the alternator in 1965.

[rotorwrench]

Tesla was the first inventor to envision the use of alternating current for power generation over long distances and Westinghouse used his designs to build the big AC generators and electric motors to run on AC. AC generators or alternators weren't practical till technology developed them to a usable form for automobiles.

The first alternators for automotive use were pretty big and mostly used in vehicles that needed more electrical power like fire trucks, police cars, and buses. The big Leece-Neville alternators were the first in use just after WWII. They had the diode bridges on the outside to rectify the AC current to a workable DC current. Further development of alternator designs from various companies through the 1950s finally culminated in practical designs for normal automotive service.

Ford's model T was one the first to use AC generated by the magneto to power 24-volt electric lighting but it wasn't rectified to DC and the voltage wasn't regulated either so the bulbs had to be made for higher voltage. This was before Ford went to DC starters and generators. After that point, the lighting ran on battery regulated DC just like a model A and the generator could keep the battery charged.

[nkaminar]

Rectifiers are available for the Model T magneto but they are based on half wave not full wave. The magneto is grounded internally so full wave is not available. I guess one could rewire the magneto for full wave but then the original ignition system would not work unless it too was modified. After 1918 generators were added to most Model T's. The generator is very similar to the Model A except the whole set of brushes have to be rotated to adjust the current after a replacement armature is used. Then the 3rd brush can be used to adjust for different seasons or driving conditions.

Modern alternators are available for Model T's.

[katy]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

Rectifiers are available for the Model T magneto but they are based on half wave not full wave. The magneto is grounded internally so full wave is not available. I guess one could rewire the magneto for full wave but then the original ignition system would not work unless it too was modified. After 1918 generators were added to most Model T's. The generator is very similar to the Model A except the whole set of brushes have to be rotated to adjust the current after a replacement armature is used. Then the 3rd brush can be used to adjust for different seasons or driving conditions.

Modern alternators are available for Model T's.

Model Ts will run on DC, that's why the post 1919 cars have a 3 position ignition switch, Bat-Off-Mag

[Chuck Dempsey]

Thanks all for the 'AC' info. Interesting stuff.

[rotorwrench]

The magneto doesn't have to run the trembler coil vibrators for a high tension to be generated. All the coil needs is a continuous build and collapse of the magnetic field to induce a high tension spark. The points still function off the magnetic field of the coil but they don't operate near as fast as the vibrator circuit does on DC power. The vibrator set is there so a battery can run the ignition at very high cycle rate.

Aircraft magnetos work the same way but they only spark once when a cylinder is up on compression plus they have a distributor timed to the engine. A model T coil will spark several times. That's why Ford put so many magnets on the flywheel. It will guarantee a hot spark even at low rpm. Aircraft mags either have to have an impulse coupling or a shower of sparks starting aid to get a hot spark at low rpm. The old Bendix shower of sparks and the Slick Start starting aids both work a lot like the vibrator circuit on a Model T trembler coil.

[updraught]

Any voltage that doesn't kill ya is just not enough. We use a man's voltage of 240 here.
Would be interested to read the article. Maybe put a copy on Dropbox?
We did seem to get a large supply of powerhouse generators here for some reason. They may have still been using them on the 1930 models or were used as a replacement.

[1930artdeco]

I can take pics and post them if people want. It would be a lot of pics though.

Mike