The Ford Barn

Rustedjunk · 05-13-2017, 02:02 PM

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?

Paul Bennett · 05-13-2017, 02:58 PM

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.

Rustedjunk · 05-13-2017, 03:41 PM

I want to run LED headlights, taillights, interior bulbs.

petehoovie · 05-13-2017, 03:48 PM

Seems to me that LED's will draw less current than incandescent bulbs....

Anteek29 · 05-13-2017, 03:56 PM

If you are going to run LEDs then 40 amps will be just fine.

JSeery · 05-13-2017, 03:57 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I'm a Whitney fan! Looks original and fits (because it's your case).

Rustedjunk · 05-13-2017, 04:01 PM

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.

JSeery · 05-13-2017, 04:05 PM

That'll work!

pooch · 05-13-2017, 05:20 PM

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.

38FordTruck · 05-13-2017, 05:44 PM

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

edhd58 · 05-13-2017, 05:57 PM

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.

slowforty · 05-13-2017, 07:05 PM

Use a GM One Wire Alternator. Thet are around Fifty Bucks. Paint it black and dont open the hood.

petehoovie · 05-13-2017, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowforty

Use a GM One Wire Alternator. Thet are around Fifty Bucks. Paint it black and dont open the hood.

LOL - Good one! I love it!

Drbrown · 05-13-2017, 08:27 PM

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.

Rustedjunk · 05-13-2017, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edhd58

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.

The armature is fried. I don't even know where to get parts to rebuild one what to get.

Rustedjunk · 05-13-2017, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowforty

Use a GM One Wire Alternator. Thet are around Fifty Bucks. Paint it black and dont open the hood.

On a flathead you can't go two weeks without opening the hood.

pooch · 05-14-2017, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 38FordTruck

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

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.

37 Coupe · 05-14-2017, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

I'm a Whitney fan! Looks original and fits (because it's your case).

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.

JSeery · 05-14-2017, 07:49 AM

The center is aluminum tubing, but think your confusing Whitney with Power Master on the diameter. The Whitney keeps the original dia.

flatford8 · 05-14-2017, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooch

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.

Dlete

05-13-2017, 02:02 PM	#1
Rustedjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 302	Advice on Generator vs Alternator 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?

05-13-2017, 02:58 PM	#2
Paul Bennett Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 628	Re: Advice on Generator vs Alternator 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.

05-13-2017, 03:41 PM	#3
Rustedjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 302	Re: Advice on Generator vs Alternator I want to run LED headlights, taillights, interior bulbs.

05-13-2017, 03:48 PM	#4
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,076	Re: Advice on Generator vs Alternator Seems to me that LED's will draw less current than incandescent bulbs.... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

05-13-2017, 03:56 PM	#5
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: Advice on Generator vs Alternator If you are going to run LEDs then 40 amps will be just fine. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

05-13-2017, 03:57 PM	#6
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Advice on Generator vs Alternator Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm a Whitney fan! Looks original and fits (because it's your case).

05-13-2017, 04:01 PM	#7
Rustedjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 302	Re: Advice on Generator vs Alternator 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.

05-13-2017, 04:05 PM	#8
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Advice on Generator vs Alternator That'll work!

05-13-2017, 05:20 PM	#9
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: Advice on Generator vs Alternator 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.

05-13-2017, 05:44 PM	#10
38FordTruck Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Tasmania Posts: 9	Re: Advice on Generator vs 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

05-13-2017, 07:05 PM	#12
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,060	Re: Advice on Generator vs Alternator Use a GM One Wire Alternator. Thet are around Fifty Bucks. Paint it black and dont open the hood.

05-13-2017, 08:27 PM	#14
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Advice on Generator vs Alternator 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. Last edited by Drbrown; 05-13-2017 at 08:36 PM.