How many of you still run a Generator system, and are they more of a pain in the *** than changing over to an alternator? I think my Generator bit the big one, and I need to replace it or change over. I've got this morning to make my decision, so I will be bumping this to the top for the next few hours to get some good advice... auto parts places aren't open very late on Saturday here so I have to decide which way to go quick! Help?
I changed over to a one wire on my 1962 Triumph TR4, but only because it was Lucas and parts were hard to find and expensive. I don't know what kind of engine you have, but it ain't likely to be a plug and play operation. In addition to engineering a new mount, you will most likely have to have your generator pulley bored out to fit the alternator and you will probably have to come up with a different length belt. What I am saying is...slow down. If this ain't your daily driver, think it through. I'm sure you will be happy with an alternator after the job is done, but it probably isn't a Saturday morning job.
it is my daily driver i'm not pressed on time to fix it, just time to get to the parts warehouses thanks for the info
I ran a generator in an early Mustang for almost 7 years as a daily driver. Worked fine, just don't park and listen to the radio for hours. Changed the brushes once. Wasn't a problem for me at all. regards, Doug
CAn't find a re-built today... might take mine apart and check brushes and wiring, make sure something isn't wrong that I can actually fix myself. Thanks
What kind of generator is it? Brushes are easy to do and when apart clean the comms. What is it doing to you? I would bet if you checked it out good, you could find and fix the problem. regards, Doug
I ran a generator for a couple of years on my '31. It would unravel at around 5000 rpm. Seems like I was always needing a rebuild, and it left me stranded a couple of times with the wife with me. Not cool. Switched to a alternator and haven't had a problem since. Plus, it's cutting edge 1962 technology! Only the coolest of the cool kids would have had one!
I saw no reason to change my early 40's gm car from a 6 volt generator to a 12 volt generator last spring. I was planning a long trip across western America and was a little spooked by the idea of getting stranded in some small town, waiting for an ancient generator [or regulator] to be shipped to me. I went with a one-wire GM alternator and haven't regretted it however........this engine is hidden under a hood. When I put the Rocky33 together, only a generator would do. I used a 12 volt generator from a 63 Merc [I had on hand] and switched the end housings and pulley from my old 6volt generator.....bolted right up and gave me 12 volts..
I kept the Gen. in my 56 Desoto because the power steering pump is connected to the back of it. Also it sits right on top of the motor and I thought an Alternator would look bad there. It works OK, but If your not doing a lot of highway driving or if you drive at night a lot, it won't charge the battery real well. My 50 buick's was down low, so I threw a GM 1 wire in so I could run a CD player and other stuff... It's pretty cheap to get one rebuilt at a Starter/ Generator place...
Id say go with an alternator. If your worried about it not looking right, you can always make it look like a generator, there was a tech a while back on doing it.
I've always used a generator in my cars, including my daily 59 Chevy. About the only problem that I've had, is the brushes wearing out. However, I did spin one too fast once, kinda blew the wires out of the armature at about 6500 RPM. Otherwise, I've always had good luck with generators.
I just went through this. My generator overheated and threw the solder. Look inside through the cooling ports with a flashlight, if you see little shiney specks on the inside of the housing, that's what your's did too. That's most likely from a bad voltage regulator. I got it rebuilt, guy checked my voltage regulator and said it was good. Put the rebuilt generator in, still was getting the warning light. After ****ing with it for a couple days, I went and bought a new voltage regulator. Worked fine...for a while. Finally realized I didn't know what I was doing, and took it to a professional. He had the same guy rebuild my generator again, but took a new voltage regulator in at the same time to get them 'synched' together. Don't ask, I don't know what that means. I thought they just had to be polorized together. Works like a charm now. I stuck with the generator for originality, and I didn't want to fabricate a bracket. I don't have a stereo, or any electronics in my car. If you get it rebuilt, ALWAYS get a new regulator at the same time. Don't be dumb like me, it's not a pretty sight.
my generator quit, threw solder off the comutator thingy at the connections. i bolted on a GM 1 wire , never looked back
gm 1 wire for me. love it. It can be sat day job, it only took half a day to do it and fab the mounts. new belt, and i was ready to roll. best part, alt only costs 20 at ajunkyard.
Go with the one wire, Only problem is asking for one at pep boys, auto zone they want to know year,make and model, I told him 31 ford and he had this puzzled look on his face.
A real Hot Rod must have a generator. its no problem with a Generator as long as you dont use more amps that it can put out. This goes for an Altenator to.. My 42 has a 6 to 12v converted generator (30Amps), and it does not put out any charge at idle or slow running. But it works for me, have a small stereo and a heaer fan. And it works Ok for me...
You don't have to use a one wire!! Use the 3 wire & hook a "Ignition" wire up to the top plug, I just hooked the 2 smaller wires together & ran it to the ignition switch & then the hot lead to the battery.That way you can buy a rebuilt for cheap!! Usally if yuo find a engine that runs a alt. you can just swap out the brackets.What engine is it? JimV
As many already have stated, the one wire. Easy to find and/or replace. Brackets can be fabbed. my .02
I run a generator! I have been told that it is just all around better to have a alterator! I asked and why? Never got a answer? go figure! Al I have heard was it is easier and cheaper! Josh
I've got a generator on the Street Freak Fairlane. It was on the old engine when I got it and I just went ahead and put it on the new one. I figured when it goes out, I'll put an alternator on it......Its been 6 years so far.
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