is there any real advantage to running a 12 volt generator as opposed to an alternator when i convert my '55 ford to 12 volt? anything else i need to know considering this is my first positive ground electrical system experience? thank you.
Not sure if you consider these "real" advantages ... You can use factory brackets. Generators can be had pretty cheap. Generators work just fine and you can still get plenty of parts for them. Generators look awesome.
If you want make your life EZ click on this: www.ranchwagon.com/tech/alt/alt.htm and this www.dbelectrical.com put this number in search:ADR0335-C several guys in the 1952-56 Ford group have done this on Y-blocks,EZ to do and EZ on the wallet.
Any change in polarity or voltage require consideration of other elect components. A few are all lighting. coil and points regulator and radio. Wiper motor Blower motor? Why are you doing a conversion? You could also use a 6 volt pos ground alternator to replace the gen and keep everything in the car the same. Take a minute to think of your needs and desires before you start buying parts. Unless you need 12 volts the easiest and least expensive way to go is either the 6volt pos gnd alt or have the orig gen and reg repaired. The 6volt alt would probably be the least expensive since it has the reg included and you could also have it made as a 1 wire system making the wire hookup easy.
a generator will charge a dead battery, it doesn't even need a battery, an alternator is more of a battery maintainer. i converted a '51 f1 generator to 12 volt worked great and allowed us to install radio, power port, electric wipers etc.
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