The Ford Barn

BIGBUCK · 07-31-2023, 11:54 AM

i am looking for info on hooking up the horn & light wires to the alternator and ground wire does anyone have any pictures they could send me ] some people say it is the front connection and some say the rear it would be nice to know for sure thanks Buck

rotorwrench · 07-31-2023, 12:44 PM

The horn and light switch wires will connect to the terminal that is the power output for the alternator. The manufacturer should have instructions for which terminal that is. My old one wire 6-volt conversion alternator just uses the single terminal that has the stud and nut. It grounded through the engine mounting. Part of the conversion internally jumpered the output for positive ground.

Is this a positive ground alternator?

Looking at the powermaster catalog page 62, it shows the two locations where a ground can be placed. The cut out is for looks only since it is not functional. It should be the location of the output. It appears that it would connect to the front cut out terminal since it doesn't go into the case. Either end could be power output the way it looks. The faux cut out should carry output to appear as the normal output but I don't know for sure since some old powerhouse units were set up for a rear terminal to connect and later ones connected to the front terminal.

Gary WA · 07-31-2023, 06:11 PM

this work

mhsprecher · 07-31-2023, 08:28 PM

Attach the wires to the front of the "cutout." Powermaster should tell you how to do that. That is how I did it my 28.

TomInCologne · 08-01-2023, 02:55 AM

does this help?

as you can see, i have also added a ground connection. my limited experience with Model as tells me that this is just a important as a good supply connection.

BIGBUCK · 08-01-2023, 06:40 AM

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Thanks for the info . What did you do about your ampmeter

TomInCologne · 08-01-2023, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGBUCK

Thanks for the info . What did you do about your ampmeter

I changed it against a 30A-meter, but more because my original 20A-meter fell apart. i have a new Optima battery and after start, my chargecurrent is about 12 A, later, when the battery is recharged, the chargecurrent drops to about 2A.

Jeda8 · 10-19-2023, 08:21 PM

What fan belt did you use? I just bought one and can’t find a belt that works. Thanks Tom! That picture does help as I was also wondering where to hook up the wires. I call power master and asked them about the wires and fan belt! Didn’t get much help. You would think that the company who designed and manufactured the item would have more information and better instructions that they do! I have tried about 12 belts. Either to long or short and changing the belt width didn’t help either! Any help on the belt would be greatly appreciated!

stevemclark · 10-19-2023, 09:48 PM

Is your alternator pulley correct for the Model A?

nkaminar · 10-20-2023, 06:19 AM

The original fan belt was notched on the inside which makes it bend more easily around small diameter pulleys such as those used on alternators. See if you can find that belt from one of the suppliers.

TomInCologne · 10-20-2023, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeda8

What fan belt did you use? I just bought one and can’t find a belt that works. Thanks Tom! That picture does help as I was also wondering where to hook up the wires. I call power master and asked them about the wires and fan belt! Didn’t get much help. You would think that the company who designed and manufactured the item would have more information and better instructions that they do! I have tried about 12 belts. Either to long or short and changing the belt width didn’t help either! Any help on the belt would be greatly appreciated!

I had ordered a standard fan belt from Snyders but i cannot find the parts number. It fit without any problems.

Dino's A · 10-20-2023, 08:41 AM

I just installed a 6v Powermaster Alternator.

I thought the instructions they give you are not too clear /detailed.

Here is what I did when I installed mine-

1. Horn wire & light wire go in the front terminal. It's a 1/4" terminal so you might
have to cut & use a terminal connector that's bigger than what you probably have.

2. Run the power wire up to the terminal box like the old one & run a new wire
from the other side of the terminal box down to your fuse that's on top of the starter.
Use the recommended #8 wire in both wires. If your confused on this, you are only
changing the wires you already have with your generator.

POWERMASTER says not to do this. They say to run that powerwire straight to your
battery. I called them and asked them why? I want it run like the regular & only way
I've seen systems that are always run through a amp meter. The answer I got was that
the amp meter might not like it. Uhh....OK, thanks? Use asphalt loom if you want to hide it better and look more original.

I have a 30 amp, ammeter, but a 20 should be fine. The alternator has never gone past 15 amps just after startup. It takes about a minute or so to come back to zero.

3. You need to ground the alternator. I used the bottom bolt of the alternator,
and ran it underneath it to a bolt on the timing cover. Use the vintage loom and
you'll be hard pressed to notice it.

4. The mounting brace for the unit uses a bolt on the timing cover.
The bracket was not designed perfectly and when it's mounted to the cover,
it rubs part of the cover. I might grind it later & make it right. Note: the bolt
& the alternator surface for your ground MUST be cleaned as some of the powder
coating of the bolt and alternator were present on mine.

5. Standard belt size should work, but it's going to be close. I had to loosen a hose
& shift the clamp because the screw part of the clamp was hitting it!

6. When you are using any wire connectors in this project, I highly recommend soldering after you crimp. I had to remove the plastic coating material off the
connectors, so I can solder them up. Before you crimp & solder, slip on a little
shrink tubing to cover the joint.

I took that instruction sheet that came with the unit and wrote some suggestions
that might help future customers, but they probably didn't care.

The alternator works great and looks almost like a generator.

Dino's A · 10-20-2023, 08:43 AM

A 43" belt works on Model A's. To my shock & surprise, the same size on a
WWII Jeep.

Ruth · 10-20-2023, 10:29 AM

When I installed my PowerGEN years ago, I just connected the wires that were connected to my generator to the front of the faux cutout. No extra wires except the ground wire that Power Master recommends. Works as it should.

nkaminar · 10-20-2023, 04:10 PM

If the loop type connector is too small of a diameter you can cut it at the front and spread it a little.

Jeda8 · 10-20-2023, 11:03 PM

I also got a belt from Snyders. It’s 43 inches and the part number is 3420. It’s just to long as I still hit the radiator hose. Tried a 42 inch one and it’s too short. Can’t get it on the pulley. The pulley size might be wrong but it’s the one they sell for a 6 volt pos ground model a. You would think they would put the right one on.

07-31-2023, 11:54 AM	#1
BIGBUCK Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2023 Posts: 3	powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a i am looking for info on hooking up the horn & light wires to the alternator and ground wire does anyone have any pictures they could send me ] some people say it is the front connection and some say the rear it would be nice to know for sure thanks Buck

07-31-2023, 12:44 PM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a The horn and light switch wires will connect to the terminal that is the power output for the alternator. The manufacturer should have instructions for which terminal that is. My old one wire 6-volt conversion alternator just uses the single terminal that has the stud and nut. It grounded through the engine mounting. Part of the conversion internally jumpered the output for positive ground. Is this a positive ground alternator? Looking at the powermaster catalog page 62, it shows the two locations where a ground can be placed. The cut out is for looks only since it is not functional. It should be the location of the output. It appears that it would connect to the front cut out terminal since it doesn't go into the case. Either end could be power output the way it looks. The faux cut out should carry output to appear as the normal output but I don't know for sure since some old powerhouse units were set up for a rear terminal to connect and later ones connected to the front terminal. Last edited by rotorwrench; 08-01-2023 at 11:51 AM.

07-31-2023, 06:11 PM	#3
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,105	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a this work __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com Last edited by Gary WA; 12-30-2023 at 02:36 PM.

07-31-2023, 08:28 PM	#4
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a Attach the wires to the front of the "cutout." Powermaster should tell you how to do that. That is how I did it my 28. __________________ 1924 Model T Coupe 1928 Model A Roadster 1930 Model A Town Sedan 1939 Deluxe Fordor 1945 pickup 1951 Custom convertible

08-01-2023, 06:40 AM	#6
BIGBUCK Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2023 Posts: 3	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the info . What did you do about your ampmeter

10-19-2023, 08:21 PM	#8
Jeda8 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 2	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a What fan belt did you use? I just bought one and can’t find a belt that works. Thanks Tom! That picture does help as I was also wondering where to hook up the wires. I call power master and asked them about the wires and fan belt! Didn’t get much help. You would think that the company who designed and manufactured the item would have more information and better instructions that they do! I have tried about 12 belts. Either to long or short and changing the belt width didn’t help either! Any help on the belt would be greatly appreciated!

10-19-2023, 09:48 PM	#9
stevemclark Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Central Shenandoah Valley,Waynesboro,Va. Posts: 93	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a Is your alternator pulley correct for the Model A? __________________ It's not the destination ,it's the journey .

10-20-2023, 06:19 AM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,903	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a The original fan belt was notched on the inside which makes it bend more easily around small diameter pulleys such as those used on alternators. See if you can find that belt from one of the suppliers. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

10-20-2023, 08:41 AM	#12
Dino's A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Arcadia, Ca. Posts: 251	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a I just installed a 6v Powermaster Alternator. I thought the instructions they give you are not too clear /detailed. Here is what I did when I installed mine- 1. Horn wire & light wire go in the front terminal. It's a 1/4" terminal so you might have to cut & use a terminal connector that's bigger than what you probably have. 2. Run the power wire up to the terminal box like the old one & run a new wire from the other side of the terminal box down to your fuse that's on top of the starter. Use the recommended #8 wire in both wires. If your confused on this, you are only changing the wires you already have with your generator. POWERMASTER says not to do this. They say to run that powerwire straight to your battery. I called them and asked them why? I want it run like the regular & only way I've seen systems that are always run through a amp meter. The answer I got was that the amp meter might not like it. Uhh....OK, thanks? Use asphalt loom if you want to hide it better and look more original. I have a 30 amp, ammeter, but a 20 should be fine. The alternator has never gone past 15 amps just after startup. It takes about a minute or so to come back to zero. 3. You need to ground the alternator. I used the bottom bolt of the alternator, and ran it underneath it to a bolt on the timing cover. Use the vintage loom and you'll be hard pressed to notice it. 4. The mounting brace for the unit uses a bolt on the timing cover. The bracket was not designed perfectly and when it's mounted to the cover, it rubs part of the cover. I might grind it later & make it right. Note: the bolt & the alternator surface for your ground MUST be cleaned as some of the powder coating of the bolt and alternator were present on mine. 5. Standard belt size should work, but it's going to be close. I had to loosen a hose & shift the clamp because the screw part of the clamp was hitting it! 6. When you are using any wire connectors in this project, I highly recommend soldering after you crimp. I had to remove the plastic coating material off the connectors, so I can solder them up. Before you crimp & solder, slip on a little shrink tubing to cover the joint. I took that instruction sheet that came with the unit and wrote some suggestions that might help future customers, but they probably didn't care. The alternator works great and looks almost like a generator. __________________ 1928 Roadster Pickup 1930 Tudor 1943 Ford WWII Jeep 1968 Taco Minibike Member, Santa Anita Model A's Arcadia Ca.

10-20-2023, 08:43 AM	#13
Dino's A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Arcadia, Ca. Posts: 251	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a A 43" belt works on Model A's. To my shock & surprise, the same size on a WWII Jeep. __________________ 1928 Roadster Pickup 1930 Tudor 1943 Ford WWII Jeep 1968 Taco Minibike Member, Santa Anita Model A's Arcadia Ca.

10-20-2023, 10:29 AM	#14
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,339	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a When I installed my PowerGEN years ago, I just connected the wires that were connected to my generator to the front of the faux cutout. No extra wires except the ground wire that Power Master recommends. Works as it should. __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

10-20-2023, 04:10 PM	#15
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,903	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a If the loop type connector is too small of a diameter you can cut it at the front and spread it a little. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

10-20-2023, 11:03 PM	#16
Jeda8 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 2	Re: powermaster 6 volt alternator install 1928 model a I also got a belt from Snyders. It’s 43 inches and the part number is 3420. It’s just to long as I still hit the radiator hose. Tried a 42 inch one and it’s too short. Can’t get it on the pulley. The pulley size might be wrong but it’s the one they sell for a 6 volt pos ground model a. You would think they would put the right one on.