I am not liking the alternator on my Vicky and don’t have the users for the high amp Powermaster versions nor the deep pockets. I found an early 60’s Falcon gen but it needs some work on the aft end of the armature. Engine is a 401 Buick nailhead and have limited space for a gen.
How about a vintage British sport car? There may be after market support for a suitable repop at a reasonable cost.
I did this, but I’m running a hood so a generator wasn’t important I was more interested in keeping the top of the motor uncluttered
This unit is AC current and requires an external regulator/rectifier combined. Didn't know if you knew this Anthony. It is also extremely low amperage which you mentioned and and came on industrial engines and riding mowers.
But then you have Lucas Electronics. The prince of darkness. That's why the British drink warm beer. Lucas also makes refrigerators!
Rock Auto shows generators for 50 Fairlanes with a six for around 75 bucks but with about a 55 dollar core charge. Sometimes the core on those old pieces will be more than the cost. In this area O'Reilly's wants 119 plus a 12 dollar core for one for one for a 60 Fairlane. Still that is only 30 amps and if you like to cruise at night that means dim as all hell headlights at low speeds, everything has a tradeoff. You can have a looks the way you think you want setup or a a reliable but not so pretty setup that is reliable and works. I'd think about taking that delco off and taking it apart and painting the case the same black as the engine and putting it back together and see if it just blends into the background enough. Or figure how to hang it or a smaller alternator low on drives side and maybe again paint it black so it doesn't jump out and holler look at me.
If Lucas made guns, wars would never start. Lucas approached Parliament to repeal Ohm’s Law, but it met with too much resistance. I’ve had a Lucas pacemaker for years and never had any probl…….
I think there might be a Lucas generator off my old 55 Nash Metropolitan that has been there since 1966 out in the shed when we pulled the Lucas off the car and put a Chevy Generator and regulator on it. A lot of the older Lucas is positive ground too so that creates more issues.
On second thought, if you are after that "period correct vibe" get an old Mopar alternator. Valiants used them in 1960.
The Lucas generators on my Triumph and Anglia are ~11" long. https://www.amazon.com/Generator-Lucas-Style-International-Holland/dp/B01FRHYJ6Q The tractor generator above is identical. Can be had with a mechanical tach drive too. 22 amps. Mike
I think I heard Lucas Electric produced the “ I dream of Jeanie “ show . You never know when the smoke is going to exit the bottle on you .
I have on laying around at my Dad’s , 12V from a John Deere tractor . I’ll measure it if you like . Just remind me if needed .
If you can find the mounting bracket from a 1961 or earlier nailhead you should be able to use a standard GM 12V generator. I believe the generator in my Pontiac is 35 amps, that was pretty typical. I've always found them to be reliable and provide enough power, as long as you don't have a megawatt stereo or aircraft landing lights. It would most likely mount off the right side of the engine rather than on top, but if you're not running a hood clearance isn't an issue.
I made a housing to disguise one of these Kubota dynamos in my T… charging a full size car battery with this thing is kinda like filling a lake with a garden hose. It will only charge 20A on a small lawn tractor battery. I’m lucky to charge 2A at speed with a full size battery. Works OK to keep a fully charged battery topped off on a long drive in a car with a minimum current draw. Don’t forget to pack your battery charger!
Just measured the generator in my 56 T-Bird. 8.5" from the nut in the front to the bearing sticking out the back.
I have considered high power magnets or adding a 2nd stator coil to increase amperage output, but no ambition yet. It was built with a pass thru shaft to drive a Datsun oil pump off the back, so not as easy as slacking the belt to remove. The voltage regulator is a simple solid state unit that mounts under the dash. The AC leads from the dynamo go under the dash, and a 1 wire connection into the harness from there.
Spent the last couple of days getting an early 60’s Ford gen fit in place of the alternator. The alternator mounting bracket with some modifications is going to work out in my favour. Awaiting a friend to repair the armature and then I can dial in the belt alignment. In my opinion the generator fits the look better than the alternator.
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