Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I have a passing interest in the older Fords, the flathead V8 and the Y block engines.

In my limited experience with the generators and 6v, I was wondering if anyone has made an alternator that looks the same and replaces a generator.

I suppose an alternate solution would be to gut a generator and fit an alternator into the generator housing.

NE

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Welcome aboard! Yes, one such company is E. J. Whitney Co., Inc. in California that does generator to alternator conversions. https://ejwhitneyco.com/automotive.html

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Speedway has them among others.
If you fix the issues with your original equipment you should be good to go. My ‘41 is still 6 volt with a generator and it’s still chugging after 83 years.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

The PowerMax looks like a generator but is about 3/4" larger diameter than a stock generator. I did not last long. I took it to a generator shop who figured out that the polished aluminum generator-looking housing contained a small alternator from a Japanese car. They found a suitable replacement alternator to fit in its place, and that has been working okay for about four thousand miles.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I have a Whitney 12 v alternator on my roadster. He uses an original case and bearings so it can safely support a fan. Makes 6 V too.


John

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Thanks.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

No personal experience but I have heard the alternator/generator look alikes don’t vent effectively therefore prone to overheating and failure. That’s the reason I decided against one for my 33.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

FYI,The Whitney units have an entirely new case.He does not use the old ones,only the front and back plates.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I have a 12v generator style alternator on my '51 Victoria.

Pat

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I have a powermaster on my '47 and a Whitney on my roadster. Both perform well but I must say the Whitney is much more convincing looking. It uses a factory rear plate and the front mount and pulley look original. I have a generator on my '40 and that works fine aswell.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Yes I forgot he uses a new aluminum case with the ford back and front and Ford bearings fitted.


John

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I have a Powermaster 82016 6V Neg. ground on the 59AB in my '46 Coupe. It has 5000+ miles on it with no issues so far. I have kept the original wiring and regulator in place, and had the generator rebuilt for spare. Will likely change back to the gen. if the alternator goes south.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Powermaster/713/82016/10002/-1

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

power gen have got them selves a bad name over here due to their warranty attitude less and less outlets are handling them now [dont want to know about it and you did something wrong ]

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

To answer your specific question, YES, but I prefer a properly rebuilt original generator unless you have accessories that require a lot of power.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Yep The original 33 generator I had on my early 34 fordor had no built in cooling vanes at the front -Whitney refused to make an alternator using the 33 casing due to the risk of overheating -We used a 34 generator casing with the inbuilt cooling vanes and it has been going strong for 6 years

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I have a '32 roadster that has an original AC Delco generator that has alternator guts, the car is not proper for here as it has a Buick nailhead and is a highboy. The conversion was done by GenerNator and has worked wonderful for about 10 years. You might want to check their website.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I don't think anyone would argue that that an alternator is not a technological improvement over a generator. But for how most people drive these cars today, the question is - do you really need the technological improvement? Especially today with quality LED head and tail lights. The extra current available from an alternator may not be needed. For some it is, I have no problem with that - to each his own.

I rebuild original Ford generators just for fun, I know them pretty well. They are very high quality. When properly rebuilt and set up correctly, they will provide many years of trouble free service. This is an example of one I rebuilt recently.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Is there any way to rework a '41 6v positive ground generator to put out 12v negative ground? With a proper regulator, of course. Or does anyone sell such a generator/regulator combination?

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Change the field coils to the 12 volt type. That is the easy way. But from what I understand, it only gives about 70% of the current available if the armature was also rewound for 12 volts. To do a thorough job, both should be done. I have not done it myself, I keep them original.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Just FYI, these photos show the headlight coverage of both my cars with stock 6 volt generators and LED headlights.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1704920125

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1704920125

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

You could buy a 1956 ford generator at napa or any auto supply store.


Bruce

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I wonder if the front end plate would swap for mounting.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I don't think they changed cases so it should interchange.


Bruce

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I have often been told I stuff about , tend to agree fabricating this sort of gear

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I'm not sure if this is a new attitude on their part or one person's bad experience. About 5 years ago my powermaster stopped charging on my '47, I've had it on the car for at least ten years. I called and explained my issue, they had me mail it in, and they mailed it back to me repaired no charge. I know the paperwork says one year warranty but they never asked and I never told them, they just took care of it. I had to pay the postage to send it to them, which was fine with me.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I was thinking of trying to convert a '56 ford 12v generator but never got an answer to my question as to whether or not the end plates and pulley would bolt on. Does anybody know?

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I think they will, but you'll need to drill/file the alignment notches in the body.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I will give that a try, but NAPA and everywhere I look are out of stock on '56 Ford generators. I am leery of the offerings on Ebay.



Is it true that 12v 30 amp generators (body) for FOMOCO cars and trucks are the same through 1964. and would work?



Does anyone know of a souce that has them in stock?

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

I have quite a few rebuilt Ford generators available, i ncludung this '55-'64 type 12v gen. Im out of town right now, but can provide more photos when I get home.

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Can you supply or suggest a voltage regulator that is as reliable as your rebuilt generators? It looks like you do a very thorough job of it. In the past I recall having more regulator trouble with the system than the generator itself. Also, for 8ba application is the generator a bolt on with no switching of front plate?

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

If I ship you a good 6v gen from my '41, could you do the end plate switch to one of your 12v genertors?
Could you supply a known good 12v regulator to go with it?

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1718365744

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1718365797

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Sorry, but I do not have regulators. But most any quality 6 volt, 30-35 amp regulator should work. These are commonly used on vintage tractors also.

I normally just rebuild stock generators. I know others have built hybrids using 1955 and up 12 generator bodies with earlier flathead V8 parts. This is to get the 12v field coils. But this takes some extra work for the alignment and mount notches. Perhaps an easier alternative is to just install 12v field coils, then polarize for negative ground (assuming that is the configuration you plan to use.) The hardest part is removing and installing the pole shoe screws. I put together a rig for this using an arbor press. I have a video about this if anyone is interested. Changing to 12v fields works, but does not deliver the same max amperage as a true 12v generator. But is still sufficient for most uses.

I really believe for most applications, staying with the 6v positive ground system is the way to go. When properly done, the stock 6v system is just as reliable and starts just as well as a 12v system.


Steve

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

For reasons I thought reasonable at the time, I converted to 12v negative ground, and so it will stay. I will attempt the conversion to 12v generator using my good stock 6v unit and a '55 - 64 12v unit, if I could only find a rebuilt 12v unit. Everywhere I look, they are out of stock. Does anyone know of a non-Ebay source?





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Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

Steve interested in that video you mention above!

JB

Re: Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.
 

This is a summary of things I do when rebuilding a generator:

-Completely disassemble, clean and degrease.

-Armature tested on a growler for opens shorts and grounds. Commutator serviced (trued on a lathe and mica undercut as needed, then polished). Windings sealed with glyptal.

- Fields either replaced with new or stripped, re-wrapped abd re-wired and tested.

- Most parts media blasted and painted.

- Assembled with new sealed bearings, brushes, wirings, insulators, oilers and terminal hardware.

- For 3-brush generators, an original Ford cutout is refurbished and installed. This includes removing the spot welded cover, cleaning, The points are inspected, dressed, aligned and gapped to .020". The air gap is checked and adjusted as needed. Then points closure voltage is set to 6 5 - 6.8 volts. Its is reassembled, painted to resemble the original finish and completed with new terminal hardware and insulators.

The generator is run on my test bench for about 20 minutes to ensure proper operation. 3-brush generators are set to 4-6 amps at 1500 generator RPM.

To see more, check out my youtube 6 volt Ford generator playlist here. There are 2 videos about my pole shoe screw tool. The second video has more details.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...hNBv3_VPivpWzk


Steve