Generator output: how high is too high?

[christian]

I took my S/W out on the road for the first time yesterday, for an actual drive, not just up and down the street. I noticed that at about 40mph and in top gear, the ammeter was pegged just past 20amps. Im assuming this isnt good for the battery over the long term? Is it necessary to bring the output down before the next run or can i drive it a little bit more before I adjust the output? (kinda hesitant to fool with the third brush by myself, my father agreed to come down and help me with it but he cant come by for another week or so).

Thanks

[Tom Wesenberg]

20 amps is way too much. A voltage regulator is the best solution, but in the meantime I would adjust the output down to no more than a few amps.

Do you have the more common long generator, or the powerhouse?

[ford3]

10 amps is tops, that way when driving at night with lites on you should show 2 amps at driving speed,20 amps is not good for the generator or battery, i wouldnt drive to far till its fixed

[Purdy Swoft]

Run it with the headlights on until you can adjust the third brush and you will be good to go.

[Hicktick]

Christan , send Tom a PM and get one of his cutouts that will fix you up .

No adjustments needed .

[christian]

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Thanks for the suggestions guys.

[steve s]

I agree with all above, and can add that it's not just the battery that is at risk. When I was in high school, I pushed that 3rd brush all the way to support my sealed beams, tube radio, and heater blower. After charring my 2nd generator, my dad got fed up and took the car to an auto electric shop and told them to fix it. They crafted a Delco generator with external regulator to fit, and solved my problems, until MANY years later I went the alternator route.

[Kurt in NJ]

With the cover band off I have run long drives at 18 amps when I had 50cp bulbs---it was the only way to make them bright, when I put in quartz halogens I lowered the rate to 15 amps, the generator has been set at that rate for the last 12 or so years , this is the same untouched generator I have been using for 40 years, the first one I ever rebuilt, due to my thoughts that I needed a fuse when I first restored the car I caused a generator failure on the first day of driving, the fuse holder caused an open circuit between the generator and battery causing the generator to throw the solder and stop working, ---up the street from where I lived there was a electric motor shop, Amos told me if I resoldered the windings I could make a "tempoary" repair-- that was in about 1972, I am still running that tempoary repair untouched ---he also showed me how to pry off the seals on ball bearings and regrease them ---

If you need more amps there is an option in the parts book for police radio car use, and another for "bus"

I also have a 74 Chevy truck with an alternator(the same one used in most A conversions), in the 30 years I have owned it the alternator has been apart 3 times ----I did some side work for a starter--alternator rebuilder, he always said that they were one of the best alternators made --for him as a rebuilder, when rebuilt they would last just long enough to not be a warranty problem, but not so long that he would never see the customer again.

[Tom Wesenberg]

"when rebuilt they would last just long enough to not be a warranty problem, but not so long that he would never see the customer again. "

I agree and would prefer a good junk yard unit to most of the rebuilts. When I worked at the junk yard we saved many parts for the core buyer. When Brian spotted a rebuilt generator or starter, he only allowed 1/2 credit.

[Duffy1]

Kurt ;

How long do you think an alternator will last driving 500 miles per year ?