VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 generator vs alternator for 6 volt system

i was thinking of putting a 6 volt alternator in my 1950 chevy 6 volt car can this be done and will it work out with the 6 volt system an alternator with internal regulator seems easy and may even perform better i don't know please help PS i feel like a cheater not keeping it stock and original but it sounds better please advise

It is your car so you can do what you want. I have a 6V alternator but have not yet installed it. Only had it for about 5 years. Maybe after it ages for 5 more years I will get around to installing it.

Like Chipper says, it is your car. What advantage in your specific case do you expect to get from your troubles of fabbing brackets etc. to mount the alternator on the car?

I considered doing that but decided that the extra trouble would not help. I don't have a lot of 6 volt accessories that need a lot of power. The generator provides as much power and more than I require to keep a good battery charged and provide the power for the ignition, lights, heater and a AM radio with limited entertainment value.
I do use a 12 CB, also sometimes a 12 volt for other do-dads but I use a 12 volt booster battery with air compressor, trouble light and it has an outlet to power the CB even a 300 watt 110AC outlet to run a Dremel tool or 12 volt impac wrench. I can charge it at any motel where there is a 110 Volt Ac plug. Like Chipper I haven't needed to install a 6 volt alternator. I haven't installed an Antique air A/C because they require a 12 volt power for the clutch and the addition of a 12 volt alternator/battery is needed. The ones I have seen on a 6 volt car have a 12 volt battery with a six volt center tap that looks untidy to me.....Maybe some day.......
:vcca:

Let's assume you do install a single line 6-volt alternator. The alternator has a point where it goes from no generation to making power. This point is very high as compared to the point a generator starts generating power. The problem arrives that the RPMs on our older cars is much lower than the speeds on a modern car. If you install the alternator it will be necessary in some cases to push in the clutch and 'race' the engine to get the alternator to start producing power.

Just thought you might not know this tendency.

I don't understand why people want to install an alternator vs generator on there vintage car. Is there an advantage? What does an alternator do that a generator doesn't do. I don't understand. I go to a lot of car meets and see a nice 235 with a alternator on it and it dosen't look right. Can someone explain to me the differents? I have been asked many times why I don't switch to an alternator and the only answer I can give them is that I am into keeping this truck as stock as possible. Thanks...Oscar :confused: :confused:

The advantage of an alternator is that it charge (somewhat) at idle speed(if not too slow).
Thei could be a plus in very cold winter weather or for driving in slow trafic with the head lights on.
I have driven many 100,000 of miles with generator equipped cars under various conditions and the generator always proved to be sufficent.

Thanks Gene. I have never had a problem with my generator either plus the alternators are ugly.

There are two advantages. One is the amount of current from an alternator is greater than a generator. They have more cooling so can put out more power. The other is a built in regulator which some of the earlier generators did not have. If using higher current bulbs in headlights and you drive a lot at night then an alternator can be an asset. For 99% of us it is a waste of time and loss of originality. If a generator worked well for 70+ years why can't they work for another 70?

When I drive the 53 at night,I have no problems.The headlights put out sufficient light.I think we take for granted that the electrical system in the 6 volt cars need periodic maintenance.

1.Keep the grounds clean.
2.Make sure all connections are tight
3.Use the proper gauge cables on the battery.
4.Replace/repair any frayed,brittle wiring.
5.Follow the shop manual to propely lubricate the generator.

Pretty simple,no need to reinvent the wheel.....my 2 cents

Dave

Dave,
So true. I see both 6V ans 12V cars with yellow lights. Either one should have nice bright "white" lights except the non-alt. cars will have a slight light dimming at idle speed. Good grounds are so important.
My 1950 has a stock 35 amp generator. The head lights are bright and will generator can handle use of the head lights, radio, heater and fog lights without the ammeter going to the - side. Your 1953 has an even better 45 amp generator.

thank you for all the different views on the alt vs gen if i stay with gen where can i get a new gen or rebuild one and how much money am i looking at for repair or purchase

I got a total rebuild including fron bearing for my 52 chev generator. $25.00 in a local shop. Armature was okay.

There likely is an auto electric shop in Katy. If you can't find one in the yellow pages then check with an independent repair shop. Or you can call the autoparts places, NAPA, etc.

Or there are three VCCA members in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area that own shops that can rebuild yours.