When is the last time anyone bought a new or replacement GENERATOR for less than 50 bucks? OR, if your generator goes south, what do you think the chances are of finding a replacement "in stock" anywhere? I am all for nostalgic endeavors, but there comes a time when an alternator is just more practical...
Alternators can take extreme RPM generators can't For instance I remember when solid lifter Chevies used to rev high enough to burst the commutator and can remember at least twice back in the day helping some unfortunate Chevy guy get home after he took his 283 over 7000 rpm and his comutator in his generator exploded and tore up his fan belt when it jammed. . Otherwise generators work just fine. Don
I did a search for genernator and found this thread, I'm fixing up a stock 47 cad sedenette for my wife she used to drive it all the time, after reading this and a prior I seen some prior problems with the powermaster (heat related maybe) does the problem still exist. Right now I'm planing on going with the genernator the cost is twice as much (but I don't find any complaints) If it's better even a little I'll pay. As for the above gen/rpm problems I never had a gen explode, or freeze up but on my 32 roadster with a 301 & flame thrower a long time ago I had to replace a lot of fan belts because the gen pulley fan blades bent up and forward because of high rpm. Roger
This is an alternative to the problematic Powermaster (scroll down about 3/4s of the page). http://www.uncommonengineering.com I will be running a stock generator on the flatty in my 36...
I've been thinking of going the other way. i have an alt, but IMHO it looks like poo on my hood-less car. i need to either go with a drive-line mounted alt(preferred) or go with a genny system. i really like the look of a "drag-only" motor. no alt or genny on the motor. i like the converted generators(that work like an alt)but they are out of are out of my price-range, plus i don't think i'd be able to find one at the local parts store if i was on the road.
I can almost estimate the age of those posting opinions about push starting, and if it works, with an auto trans. Us "Old Farts" can easily recall the slush boxes that would push start. Yeah, gotta get 'em goin' fast enough to develop pressure, usually about 30-35 mph, but don't tell us that it wasn't done. Thank God I lived on a steep hill!!
low tech test... turn on all your fans and whatnot and with the engine running at an idle, pull off one of the battery cables. if it keeps running, you're good. if it quits, you're not charging enough at idle to keep the battery charged. you could play with setting the idle faster, or go to an alternator.
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