I want to run a generator, am I crazy?

One of these days I will get my '32 frame back from the shop that is making it, its now over 3 months late. But for now all I can do is gather parts and learn.

I will be putting a 327 into a '30 Ford coupe.

I will be running ram horn exhaust.

I like the way generators look sitting up high on the rams horn manifold.

My friends tell my to go with a alterator, because of reliability issues.

I will be running just a few gauges, tach, and lights, no air or power anything and probably no radio. I want to stay '50's traditional as possible.

Can anyone talk me out or into a generator. What are the cons of a generator. I am new to this so all take anyone's .02 cents.

Thanks!

 

Absolutely nothing wrong with a gennie, but if you decide to go with an alt you can now get them built inside a gennie for trad appearence.

 

Have a generator rebuilt with sealed bearings and it'll outlast you, most likely. I run heavy equipment for a living and we used to try to convert Cats and other equipment to alternators but then found out that the generators live alot longer in the dirt and vibration so I've actually converted some machines back to generators.

 

Generators were reliable for many years before alternators came into the picture and will look better for your application. If you are still leaning towards an alternator there is one made that is in the same shape as a generator so you'd have the best of both worlds ' as-it-were.

 

Chrome generator rebuilt since 1996 with the regulator.....No problem!

 

I've seen those in magazines, do they look the same to you?
I had a buddy in high school that had a '85 Mustang LX four cylinder that he lowered and cloned it to look like a 5.0 with all the emblems and stickers.

At the end of the day, it was still a four cylinder.

Not the same thing, but if I really dont need an alternator will the generator be sufficient or am I going to get into problems. Dead batteries arent fun.

 

I think you guys are answering my question.

Royalshifter, that looks perfect!!!!

All right, where do I get one and what the heck am I looking for? And what kind of price range?

Chrome would be cool.

 

There is absolutely no reason to be afraid of a generator. I bet you can find one real cheap on ebay.

 

Thanks Crusty nut,

Now how about getting down here to Santa Cruz and helping me out with this thing.

 

Generators don't have diodes.

 

If it worked back then, its good enough for me.

 

The guy asked for pros and cons, not cosmetic opinions.

I don't fully understand them either though I am going to run one. I understand that they don't charge at idle? Sitting in traffic might be an issue. Not sure just how many accessories you can run before it becomes a problem.

Hoping folks will chime in with the pros and cons of how they operate, not how they look.

 

Here is my 2 cents... I run an alternator for reliability BUT i always think it is much cooler to run the old generator. The big question is what do "you" want, ultimate kewl or more reliability.

 

My opinion is you would be crazy NOT to run a generator !

I have one on my '60 389 powered F~100.. only a brush replacement in over 10 years.

Run one on my DeSoto powered Sport Coupe, my daughters flathead & her '62 Falcon.

Any one who says they are not reliable dont know what they are talking about.

 

I've had nothing but generators in my old cars for the last 45+ years and never had any problems with them. When I rebuild them, I use oil-less bronze bushings and they seem to last forever. I drive my cars - last year a 3600 mile trip to S. Dakota and another to Kentucky (about 1800 miles), next year about the same to Texas.
My '37 coupe has a generator, rebuilt in 1990 and must have close to 50k on it with no problems. Yes, the lights do dim at idle, but brighten right up when the rpm increases. Maybe you should use an alternator if you're going to be running A/C, a megawatt stereo, etc., but then I guess that'd be a street rod, not a hot rod !

 

During the day the only load on the generator when you're stopped is the coil and the brake lights, which isn't a big deal. At night the lights may dim, or may not, depends on how well everything is working, idle speed, etc. Again, it's not a big deal. A battery can store a LOT of elecrical energy, the generator just needs to keep it topped up (regulator adjustment is important in this regard).

If you're one of the "it's just about appearances" guys, you might want one of the generator looking alternators...but then you'd also be asking how to make a crate 350 look like that 327, etc. I don't think you are going there

 

how is an alternator more reliable? all of my cars have them, and I have never changed any of them. I have replaced a voltage regulator, but no gennies yet.

 

As a ex rebuilder, nothing wrong with a properly rebuilt generator. Just make sure you get a good quaility new regulator. The cheap ones are just that, cheap.

 

Ok,

My minds made up, a generator it is.

Where's the best place to buy one and which one is recommended and what regulators should I be looking for?

Thanks

 

Look for your local rebuilder with a good reputation, and hopefully he has some grey hair,meaning he has been around as long as generators.

 

Looks like some companies make a decent looking finned regulator cover too.

 

Try Auto Ag Electric in Freedom...
He's not cheap, but does good work.
[SIZE=-1]2130 Freedom Blvd[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Freedom, CA 95019[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]<NOBR cl***=tel>(831) 728-9474</NOBR>[/SIZE]

 

Only issue I had with running one is going through brushes, but at the time I kept swapping in whatever ones I could find - it's not like they were new ones. I'd just try and round up an early '60s model with a fairly high amp output.

 

Freedom, thats funny, right here in my backyard, figures.

Thanks to all for the info.

 

He also wants the cosmetic that is what he stated. Alternators now days are powerful enough to overcharge your battery and ruin it, although they do keep the engine running when battery dies, which happens very seldom and there is an auto parts store on every corner. A good working alternator will not overcharge with a good regulator and last for years. Also a regulator mounted on the firewall looks cool.........Oh **** sorry the cosmetic thing again.

 

No you are not crazy. Millions of cars had them, and I doubt if many had problems with them, anymore than alternators. I had several vehicles with them and only had trouble with one of them, and that turned out to be the regulator. Nor do I recall the lights dimming at idle either. Go for it, if that's what you want.

 

They charge just fine at an idle, you can also adjust your charge with an adjustable regulator.

 

only problem i had was reving the little 283 to high and slinging the little fan blades on em thru the hood.ah the good ole days. and by the way why would the gen lite burn just a little bit. i have one on my 59 ,been doing that for years. no problems just wondering why

 

I run a Generator on my 53 chevy..updated to 12 volt electrical.
I have a radio as my only option..
Been driving it for 3 year's now with ZERO problems...Light's dim a touch at idle like other's have said, but that's the way they work and it's not that bad anyway.
No reason to run an alt if your system is up to par and your not running a lot of accessories.
Generator's work just fine.

 

I used to run generators on my 327. Once I started revving it past 5500 rpm, or so, I started breaking generators. Went through several rebuilds over a few years until I switched to a alternator.

Not trying to talk you into an alternator, but high revs are one of the perks of a built 327. Something to consider.