alternator recommendations

[ddegrave]

Need to replace alternator -bearings are shot. . I presently have a 66 Buick Delco. I belieeve it is 61 AMP with external REgulator Like tp hear recommentions regarding either a One wire Alternator or internally regulated. Also what about dropping AMPerage to 42 AMP vs the 61 AMP?

[johnbuckley]

42 amp should suffice for normal requirements

[oldwoodsman]

Originally Posted by ddegrave

Need to replace alternator -bearings are shot. . I presently have a 66 Buick Delco. I belieeve it is 61 AMP with external REgulator Like tp hear recommentions regarding either a One wire Alternator or internally regulated. Also what about dropping AMPerage to 42 AMP vs the 61 AMP?

Are you looking for 6 volt or 12 volt?

[Patrick L.]

Those bearings should be readily available and are easy to replace.

[1931 flamingo]

Any auto electric (old time) repair shop should be able to go thru your alt for a reasonable amount of money. Had mine done (6V) last year for about 45$.
Paul in CT

[Synchro909]

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Replacing the bearings in your current alternator is the best way to go, I think. To fit another type, you'd have to make new brackets and that alone is probably more work than fixing the old alt.
As for how many amps, when I converted my first A to 12 volts, I did a few very simple calculations:
2 X 55w headlight globes (Halogen) = 110 watts
stop light and tail light, another approx 25 watts
Ignition, approx 35 watts
Total 170 watts. At 12 volts, that is just over 14 amps MAX - driving at night!
I installed a 25 amp alternator from one of those tiny Japanese rice burners of the 1980's/90's with a built in regulator. 40,000 miles later and it is still going. If you're concerned about 45 vs 60 amps, forget it. Either way you're using a sledge hammer to break a peanut.

[glenn in camino]

I bought a 6v from Brattons. I'm satisfied.

[Kevin in NJ]

A slightly overlooked fact is the pulley diameter on the alt is too small to allow enough HP transfer for any high amp alt.

Go look it up online. There are sight telling how many HP it takes to drive the different amp alt. There are other sights telling you how large a diameter pulley you need to transfer that much HP, assuming a tight belt. I recommend that you look up the procedures for proper belt tightness for the cars with a V belt. You might find they need to be extremely tight to get the HP transfer. Remember when they got a bit loose and they squeeled?

Do not forget that the alt ratings drop by half when they warm up. You can look that up online too.

The reality is an alt can not really put out much above what the generator can do.

As far a more reliable. My brother has not touched the gen on his A since around 1970 except to oil it.

So, I would not worry too much about current ratings. Buy cheap and have a spare for when it breaks again. Or get a gen and never worry about it.

[Bruce Adams]

My 30 amp alternator produces output for about five seconds after a cold start, then, even with full headlights, the amp meter shows around zero with the 30 amp alternator so I guess it more than meets the requirements of high beams and loud horn when required. It is about ten years old and always provides a full battery. My headlights illuminate reflective signs at over 0.25 miles. It has the special pulley for the Model A.

[Kurt in NJ]

Originally Posted by Bruce Adams

My 30 amp alternator produces output for about five seconds after a cold start, then, even with full headlights, the amp meter shows around zero with the 30 amp alternator so I guess it more than meets the requirements of high beams and loud horn when required. It is about ten years old and always provides a full battery. My headlights illuminate reflective signs at over 0.25 miles. It has the special pulley for the Model A.

What you are describing can be done with 15 amps ---

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by ddegrave

Need to replace alternator -bearings are shot. . I presently have a 66 Buick Delco. I belieeve it is 61 AMP with external REgulator Like tp hear recommentions regarding either a One wire Alternator or internally regulated. Also what about dropping AMPerage to 42 AMP vs the 61 AMP?

"One wire Alternator or internally regulated."

One wire alts are internally regulated. The output of an alternator only becomes a factor if you have all kinds of accessories working in the car. A 60 amp alt does not put out 60 amps unless 60 amps is needed.

[Gold Digger]

I had trouble seeing at night with my generator that would put out 20 amps. I decided to go with halogen bulbs but read on the FB that to run halogen's you needed an alternator. So I bought an alternator in Chickasha from a guy (hope he's reading this) that said he sold his "A" and took the new alternator off and reinstalled the generator before the guy came and got it. This should have been the first clue. It looked new and was in the box with all the instructions and the mounting adaptor all for 80 bucks. Got home and put it on but no charge. After messing with it for a few days I decided I had been boned and took it in to a rebuild shop for testing and found out it wasn't any good. So I ordered a new one from Mike's that worked and found out I don't need halogen's after all. The alternator makes the lights as bright as 12 volts and can see to drive all night. Been working good for 3 years now and used up only one belt.

[Willie Krash]

Mike is right re amperage. Really I think the world of our suppliers but old analog alternators are as simple as a Model A is when compared to modern charging systems.
The bearings and a brush job on a 10DN is very simple. I own one of those old time alternator shops. I talk people out of spending unnecessary money with me or others.
Sometimes people just want too.
What I'm saying is those alternators need not be expensive. Re one wire alt's I see a lot of them with dead regulators. Yesterday I put a AC fired ultra low cut in regulator in a chrome alternator....$25.

[pgerhardt]

Here is an alternator that won't make your eyes hurt when you open the hood!

[Brianfrench65]

Originally Posted by pgerhardt

Here is an alternator that won't make your eyes hurt when you open the hood!

Where is that alternator sold? It really looks good.

[Bruce Adams]

Originally Posted by Brianfrench65

Where is that alternator sold? It really looks good.

Looks good but DOES NOT come cheap. $370 as I understand it.

[Plainsman30]

The alternator "that won't make your eyes hurt" does look nice.

Does it work well and how about cost, if you can care to share.
Thanks

[CarlG]

http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/

[waxhead]

I just installed one in my car, bolts straight in without mods. They also do a 6 volt model, but I installed the 12 volt version attached.

http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/pwm-82001

[waxhead]

and here's the 6 volt version

http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/pwm-82006

[Plainsman30]

I wonder if it uses "standard" parts in case it gives trouble down the road

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

On Minerva, I found that a 30 Amp, 6 Volt, single wire alternator was TOTALLY sufficient. Even with a 5 year old, group one battery, had nice BRIGHT lights, nice LOUD horn, even at an idle & she started so QUICK, that some thought I was on 12 VOLTS!
Seems that lots of folks "think" BIGGER, MORE POWERFUL is BETTER! Not necessarily. I know of a really nice Model A Roadster, with a 572 Cu. Inch "Chev" in it, I'd go BROKE buying rear tires for it!
Bill W.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

On Minerva, I found that a 30 Amp, 6 Volt, single wire alternator was TOTALLY sufficient. Even with a 5 year old, group one battery, had nice BRIGHT lights, nice LOUD horn, even at an idle & she started so QUICK, that some thought I was on 12 VOLTS!
Seems that lots of folks "think" BIGGER, MORE POWERFUL is BETTER! Not necessarily. I know of a really nice Model A Roadster, with a 572 Cu. Inch "Chev" in it, I'd go BROKE buying rear tires for it!
Bill W.

is a more powerful scooter better??

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

is a more powerful scooter better??

NOPE!!! I opted for the standard model with a 500 Watt motor. The Deluxe, with an 800 Watt motor had a DOWNSIDE, the top speed was cut by 4 MPH & the cruising range was cut by about 10 MILES. The range on this one is 40 to 45 miles on a recharge & 19 MPH, top speed & that DUDE'LL do a wheelie, easy & yes, it has wheelie bars.
SO, you thought you had me on this one (SA)
See the EW-36, 3 wheeler on electricvehiclemall.com It's the BLACK one. Going to the car show Friday night & show off my scarred up OUTLAW helmet that SAVED my LIFE, when a speeding Nissan Altima hit me in the ass end & totaled the BLUE one!
Bill W.

[Slotblog]

When my generator failed on the trip from Oregon to Georgia, I had Bert's in Denver send me one of their 6v 30 amp positive ground alternators to install, since my car is a driver and not a show car. $160 brand new, no core, according to their website. Works a treat. This is a Nu-Rex unit.

http://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=4029

Since the OP had a "66 Buick Delco", it doesn't seem that an original appearance is an important factor.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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Originally Posted by Slotblog

When my generator failed on the trip from Oregon to Georgia, I had Bert's in Denver send me one of their 6v 30 amp positive ground alternators to install, since my car is a driver and not a show car. $160 brand new, no core, according to their website. Works a treat. This is a Nu-Rex unit.

http://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=4029

Since the OP had a "66 Buick Delco", it doesn't seem that an original appearance is an important factor.

Yes, Slotblog, sometimes we have to sacrifice "originality", in order to have a trouble free & safe car. DON'T want to "CHUG" it in traffic & be going, RRRR---RRRR---RRRR, cuz yo' BATTERY'S not up to "SNUFF"
Ran out of gas in Minerva & with a 5 year old battery, "STARTERED" her in LOW, then SECOND, & a little bit in HIGH & pulled her right up to the "HIGH OCTANE" pump NO ATTENDANT, shucks, I wanted to say, "FILL'ER UP, CAREFULLY"!!!!
Bill W.

[Brianfrench65]

Well.....my car is a driver, and I hate problems. I keep burning out bulbs, and not having enough power to get home from my favorite cruise night, in the dark.

So I bought the 6 volt Summit alternator. It is a 1 wire hook up.

So....how do I hook this up?

[Brianfrench65]

The alternator

[pgerhardt]

Originally Posted by Brianfrench65

Well.....my car is a driver, and I hate problems. I keep burning out bulbs, and not having enough power to get home from my favorite cruise night, in the dark.

So I bought the 6 volt Summit alternator. It is a 1 wire hook up.

So....how do I hook this up?

The cutout that comes on this Generator looking Alternator is fake and just there for show. A cutout is not needed since this alternator has an internal voltage regulator. You do NOT want to connect it through a real cutout. For a better look than the fake cutout that came with it, I installed a real cutout with ford script. But to allow it to bolt on easily I installed it backwards! Most will never notice. The wiring for my Model A will attach to the same post that is connected to the cutout input bypassing the cutout entirely.

[ddegrave]

Thanks foks really appreciate the inoput think I will just go with a three wire and install a resistor in the field input side form the ign switch.

[Brianfrench65]

Awesome; thank you.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by pgerhardt

Here is an alternator that won't make your eyes hurt when you open the hood!

But it makes my wallet cry.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Brianfrench65

Well.....my car is a driver, and I hate problems. I keep burning out bulbs, and not having enough power to get home from my favorite cruise night, in the dark.

So I bought the 6 volt Summit alternator. It is a 1 wire hook up.

Most likely your problem was a bad ground connection. I hate hearing about people that spend money needlessly.

I'll let Willie (the old time alt shop owner) tell you about the best charge voltage for the 6 v battery is and what the 6v one wire alt puts out.

[AL in NY]

I didn't see any mention of the Russ Evans alternator that's made in an Model A generator housing. It's the same price as the Summit Racing unit, 45 amps output and it will pass fine point judging. It is impossible to tell that it's not an original generator. It's made in 6 or 12 volts. You specify the month/year of your Model A and it will come with the correct pulley, rear bearing plate and cutoff. Russ's phone number is (805) 583-4221. Address is: 5968 Serena St, Simi Valley, CA 93063. Russ will stand behind his product 100%. I don't have any affiliation with Russ, just a very satisfied customer!!!!