Generator that is really an alternator

[19Fordy]

Currently have an alternator on my 8BA. Would like to change over to a
generator that is really an alternator. I would like to get one that is either chrome or polished. Car has been converted to 12V negative ground and uses a wide belt system with early wide belt truck water pumps. Anyone have any good recommendations? Also wondering if anyone makes an aluminum generator bracket that replaces the OEM cast iron Ford bracket.Thanks.

[JSeery]

Whitney.

[TStiles]

You can't go wrong with Powermaster. Great product and world class customer service.

[Bored&Stroked]

The Whitney guys make a great product - it is pricey, but it looks really good and they are great people. With that said, the end result can still be distinguished from a stock generator in that the center case is a bit bigger in diameter - so if you look closely, you can tell that it isn't stock. I just had Tom convert a 34 style generator over to a 6V positive ground alternator - even has a stock looking cut-out on top to boot. Really nice work - cost about $500 (you supply the core). I have yet to put it on my 32 - that will happen this weekend.

[mrtexas]

Why not use a generator with a voltage regulator?

[JSeery]

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Originally Posted by mrtexas

Why not use a generator with a voltage regulator?

Because it's not an alternator. There are advantages to using an alternator. If you just want a better generator on the cutout cars I would use an electronic cutout.

[Straightpipes]

My 2c on powergens. ....It doesnt look like a generator, it looks like a fake generator. I put one on an engine and hit the highway, bearing was screaming within an hour. Exchanged it and the replacement had a bad diode. Put a y block 12 volt generator on there and works great.

[bobgc]

I have two powergens one on my wife 57 T Bird and one on my 34 pickup love em both no more dim lights or dead batteries. the one I put on my 34 pickup I had to make some modifications as there was some issue with the mounting bracket and the wide belt pulley I had to use my origonal pulley because the fan bolted to it. and I don't believe they make that style pulley on the powergens.

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Currently have an alternator on my 8BA. Would like to change over to a
generator that is really an alternator. I would like to get one that is either chrome or polished. Car has been converted to 12V negative ground and uses a wide belt system with early wide belt truck water pumps. Anyone have any good recommendations? Also wondering if anyone makes an aluminum generator bracket that replaces the OEM cast iron Ford bracket.Thanks.

Paint your alternator black.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by mrtexas

Paint your alternator black.

Then it looks like a black alternator!

[ct1932ford]

Used this one on my roadster! Looks great and works great. Cutout on top is fake also it came like this with fake wires to cut-out. www.gener-nator.com

[19Fordy]

Thanks for the info.From what I have read, I am worried that the generator/ alternater conversions on the market may not be sufficient to run my halogen headlights. Plus, some articles say they overheat due to poor air flow. Still thinking.
Has anyone tried this conversion? http://www.gener-nator.com/details.htm

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Thanks for the info.From what I have read, I am worried that the generator/ alternater conversions on the market may not be sufficient to run my halogen headlights. Plus, some articles say they overheat due to poor air flow. Still thinking.
Has anyone tried this conversion? http://www.gener-nator.com/details.htm

Yep, need to be sure the alternator you are looking out has the output you need. Most are in the 30 to 40 amp range which is plenty for most applications, but not all. Unless you do a lot of night driving the halogens might not be an issue.

[Mike51Merc]

I usually spot the fake ones by looking in the ports and seeing that there is no commutator and brushes inside.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Mike51Merc

I usually spot the fake ones by looking in the ports and seeing that there is no commutator and brushes inside.

So 19Fordy......based on the above, you really ain't fooling the guys that KNOW the score, and THE REST of the guys that really don't have a clue couldn't care less anyway. I'd keep yur alternator.......it's worked just fine all this time. DD

[Kurt in NJ]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Thanks for the info.From what I have read, I am worried that the generator/ alternater conversions on the market may not be sufficient to run my halogen headlights. Plus, some articles say they overheat due to poor air flow. Still thinking.
Has anyone tried this conversion? http://www.gener-nator.com/details.htm

I run halogen bulbs in the A with the stock generator and never charge the battery except by driving, an original 2 brush generator can run halogen bulbs too-- if you have trouble with halogens and alternater you should do a on the car output test-- a 35 amp generator makes 35 amps hot, a 60 amp alternator only makes 60 amps for a short time cold, hot is more like 45 amps

[19Fordy]

v8: You're right on the money. Right now the alternator works fine and dandy. I really don't need to change "the look", but I was just toying with the idea.

[Krylon32]

Guy on the HAMB called Rotten Leonard shows an alternator in an early style case. $249.00

[aussiesteve]

Had a powermaster fake gen on my 32 coupe.
died twice on a trip to Austin Tx from Denver co.
Had it rebuilt twice,both rebuilders said it had the cheapest GM rectifier made in it.
The rectifier died due to the heat from being in a aluminum case with no fan.
Sent it back to Poewermaster when I got home.
They said it had a short in the windings FROM THE FACTORY.
So,no quality control and I,m not a satisfied customer.
To me they are nothing but an expensive wheel chock.
Put a 12v generator and regulator back on the car and have not had a problem

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by aussiesteve

Had a powermaster fake gen on my 32 coupe.
died twice on a trip to Austin Tx from Denver co.
Had it rebuilt twice,both rebuilders said it had the cheapest GM rectifier made in it.
The rectifier died due to the heat from being in a aluminum case with no fan.
Sent it back to Poewermaster when I got home.
They said it had a short in the windings FROM THE FACTORY.
So,no quality control and I,m not a satisfied customer.
To me they are nothing but an expensive wheel chock.
Put a 12v generator and regulator back on the car and have not had a problem

I have heard similar issues with powermaster, but no experience myself with one. That is one of the reasons I went with Whitney, the guts are non-GM and you don't have the one-wire issues as well. I didn't have mine wired as a one-wire because I prefer a two-wire setup, he will make them either way. As several people have pointed out a generator works just fine unless you need the benefits an alternator has to offer, such as cleaner power to run modern electronics.