The Ford Barn

Benson · 12-18-2012, 10:54 PM

How many amps can a Powerhouse generator supply. I was told once that they can supply 25 amps. But for how long before they overheat?

Tom W:

What is your EVR charge rate on the Powerhouse capped at? As I understand it your EVR on the Long generator is capped at 15 amps ... ain't so?

Thanks

Tom Wesenberg · 12-18-2012, 11:42 PM

The EVR regulates the volts, not the amps. The amps limit is set by the generator design. The safe maximum continuous output for the long generator is about 12 amps, and about 15 amps for the powerhouse. If you remove the rear cover on the powerhouse, or add a cooling band on the long generator you can add a few amps.

My lights draw about 10 amps, and the brake light another 4, so the only time my generator puts out 14 amps is when I drive at night and step on the brakes. Most of the time my ammeter is on about 1 or 2 amps, because the battery is charged and no more amps are needed. The coil only draws about one amp with the engine running.

Benson · 12-19-2012, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

The EVR regulates the volts, not the amps. The amps limit is set by the generator design. The safe maximum continuous output for the long generator is about 12 amps, and about 15 amps for the powerhouse. If you remove the rear cover on the powerhouse, or add a cooling band on the long generator you can add a few amps.

My lights draw about 10 amps, and the brake light another 4, so the only time my generator puts out 14 amps is when I drive at night and step on the brakes. Most of the time my ammeter is on about 1 or 2 amps, because the battery is charged and no more amps are needed. The coil only draws about one amp with the engine running.

OK Tom thanks. I see that I got some wrong info and will not be able to run a Powerhouse with the sealed beams as they draw 20 amps on low beam and 25 on high.

Tom Wesenberg · 12-19-2012, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benson

OK Tom thanks. I see that I got some wrong info and will not be able to run a Powerhouse with the sealed beams as they draw 20 amps on low beam and 25 on high.

Instead of an alternator you could use a later generator.

Benson · 12-19-2012, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Instead of an alternator you could use a later generator.

Good idea. I wonder if they make a "onewire" generator with internal regulator?

Tom Wesenberg · 12-19-2012, 09:55 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Benson

Good idea. I wonder if they make a "onewire" generator with internal regulator?

I have fit my EVR inside my friends 29 Stutz generator and inside my 27 Dodge NorthEast generator.

sethkestenbaum · 12-19-2012, 03:54 PM

Tom,

Are you asserting that with the Powerhouse you should never have it generating more than 15 amps for any real duration of time as its output? I take this to mean that if I am running with my brights that use 18 amps, I should set the third brush so my in-dash ammmeter reads -3amps.

Thanks,
Seth

Tom Wesenberg · 12-19-2012, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sethkestenbaum

Tom,

Are you asserting that with the Powerhouse you should never have it generating more than 15 amps for any real duration of time as its output? I take this to mean that if I am running with my brights that use 18 amps, I should set the third brush so my in-dash ammmeter reads -3amps.

Thanks,
Seth

That would be the safe thing to do. You might get by with 18, but for how long?

I'm not going to test my powerhouse to find out.

Benson · 12-19-2012, 06:16 PM

Tom,

I have a Delco Remy Model 102686 with similar mounting bracket, rated at 36 amps but it has 2 brushes. Would that work with your EVR or do you need 3 brush units to modify one?

From 1941 Cadillac, Motor manual says 36 amps at 3500 RPM. I take it that means generator RPM?

Do you know what the Model A generator max output RPM is?

From the pulley size on the Model A it looks like it might be 1.5 to 1 ratio ... (too cold to go outside to measure the A pulleys).

The reason I ask is that in looking in the Motor Manual I see some generators rated at 1700 RPM. These might be better for use on Model A than the 3500 RPM type?

Maybe 8N or 9N? I do not have specs on these.

Thanks

Tom Wesenberg · 12-19-2012, 08:10 PM

I don't have the max output RPM specs, but the Model A generator starts charging the battery at about 700 generator RPM, and the ratio is 1 engine RPM= 1.5 generator RPM. I test the generators at 1700 RPM and they have good output at that speed.

An EVR can be used on the 2 brush generator. In fact I have a later GM generator I was going to install one in someday when I get caught up.

12-18-2012, 10:54 PM	#1
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,599	Powerhouse charging rate question? How many amps can a Powerhouse generator supply. I was told once that they can supply 25 amps. But for how long before they overheat? Tom W: What is your EVR charge rate on the Powerhouse capped at? As I understand it your EVR on the Long generator is capped at 15 amps ... ain't so? Thanks

12-18-2012, 11:42 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Powerhouse charging rate question? The EVR regulates the volts, not the amps. The amps limit is set by the generator design. The safe maximum continuous output for the long generator is about 12 amps, and about 15 amps for the powerhouse. If you remove the rear cover on the powerhouse, or add a cooling band on the long generator you can add a few amps. My lights draw about 10 amps, and the brake light another 4, so the only time my generator puts out 14 amps is when I drive at night and step on the brakes. Most of the time my ammeter is on about 1 or 2 amps, because the battery is charged and no more amps are needed. The coil only draws about one amp with the engine running.

12-19-2012, 03:54 PM	#7
sethkestenbaum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 632	Re: Powerhouse charging rate question? Tom, Are you asserting that with the Powerhouse you should never have it generating more than 15 amps for any real duration of time as its output? I take this to mean that if I am running with my brights that use 18 amps, I should set the third brush so my in-dash ammmeter reads -3amps. Thanks, Seth __________________ Seth Kestenbaum www.oldcarroadtrip.com

12-19-2012, 06:16 PM	#9
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,599	Re: Powerhouse charging rate question? Tom, I have a Delco Remy Model 102686 with similar mounting bracket, rated at 36 amps but it has 2 brushes. Would that work with your EVR or do you need 3 brush units to modify one? From 1941 Cadillac, Motor manual says 36 amps at 3500 RPM. I take it that means generator RPM? Do you know what the Model A generator max output RPM is? From the pulley size on the Model A it looks like it might be 1.5 to 1 ratio ... (too cold to go outside to measure the A pulleys). The reason I ask is that in looking in the Motor Manual I see some generators rated at 1700 RPM. These might be better for use on Model A than the 3500 RPM type? Maybe 8N or 9N? I do not have specs on these. Thanks

12-19-2012, 08:10 PM	#10
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Powerhouse charging rate question? I don't have the max output RPM specs, but the Model A generator starts charging the battery at about 700 generator RPM, and the ratio is 1 engine RPM= 1.5 generator RPM. I test the generators at 1700 RPM and they have good output at that speed. An EVR can be used on the 2 brush generator. In fact I have a later GM generator I was going to install one in someday when I get caught up.