|
|
Post by pushnfords on May 26, 2010 18:34:30 GMT -5
The Bradley I'm working on has a '72 chassis with a generator. Is the generator a reliable piece or would I be better off converting to an alternator? Will a generator power a CD player, speakers, and lights?
Thanks,
Derek
|
|
|
|
Post by centralvalleygter on May 26, 2010 21:20:52 GMT -5
Hello Derek,
I've had cars with both - my Bradley has a Motorola alternator (don't think they even make em anymore, most are Bosch now) and my 71 vw Bus currently has a generator. The main advantage of alternators is that they can charge at lower rpms. However since the vw engine likes cruizin between 3000-3900 (due to torque curve and rpms needed for cooling), a generator works quite well. If you are going really overboard with the stereo (more than 800 watts) or putting on high intensity auxiliary lights, you probably would be better off with a new high output alternator, but if you are not adding such extras a generator should serve nicely for a good long time.
|
|
|
|
Post by mj on May 26, 2010 21:46:33 GMT -5
Warning - with an alternator, the standard circuit requires that the generator warning light is good. You see, it 'energizes' the alternator so that it charges. If it burns out and you ignore it, you will be running on battery only.
A work-around is to put a small resistor in the circuit.
|
|
|
|
Post by centralvalleygter on May 26, 2010 23:11:03 GMT -5
True, an alternator requires an "exciter" voltage. On my BAHA I ran a wire from the "+" side of the coil to the exciter terminal - BUT if you choose this method you must put a diode in-line to assure the current only flows from the coil to the alternator, otherwise the car just keeps running after ya turn off the key!
|
|
|
|
Post by vallyr on May 27, 2010 12:08:25 GMT -5
Able to start with a dead battery. Generator for the win.
|
|
|
|
Post by pushnfords on May 27, 2010 16:39:53 GMT -5
Warning - with an alternator, the standard circuit requires that the generator warning light is good. You see, it 'energizes' the alternator so that it charges. If it burns out and you ignore it, you will be running on battery only. A work-around is to put a small resistor in the circuit. Military CUCV's (Blazers) are like that...took me most of an afternoon to figure out why it wasn't charging!  |
|
