As the title implies. If you've used one, how do you like it and any problems ? Providing your vehicles only needs 45 amps of power.
I put one on the last flathead I built. Other then paying for it I liked it and it worked fine, nothing looks out of place more on a flathead then a conventional alternator sitting up on top. Guess it depends on how much it shows, I wouldn't bother other then the look.
That's the thing, it will "look" better than a conventional alternator. The stealth unit is around half the cost of it's competitor so why pay that much more for the look.
Oh, didn't realize Stealth was a brand, never heard of them. I used a Powergen so I can't vouch for the quality. For half the cost I'd probably give them a try.
Never used one, but I like it. After having a generator on my '63 Comet go out on a long cross country trip, I converted it to a Mustang alternator, so I could get a replacement at any auto parts store should that happen again. Nowadays, I think I would stick with the generator and carry parts to repair it if I was worried about it.
Johnny Back when I first joined the HAMB some of the fellas were complaining that they over heated on them. But that was when some of the fellas were making their own. They are a little pricey but"powermaster" makes one that has had pretty good reviews. If I wasn't one of those let it all hang out guys and wanted a stealth alternator I would go that route.
^^^^^ Thanks PorknBeaner for answering the question as asked. The Powermaster was and still is my first option if I really want to pay that much to "look" . That being said, the 32 Pick-Up I'm doing will only need enough amp's to cover headlamp's (tail lamps included with and occasional blink blink ) and the ignition (points) system and gauges. What more do I need. Plus, I don't want to go totally correct and use a Generator and Regulator.
I know this isn't what you asked, but I agree on the alternators looking very wrong on a flat motor. On my old hot rod I didn't want to pay up for a powermaster and had also heard reports of over heating on some home built ones. So, I mounted an alternator to the rear axle and ran it off the drive shaft. It didn't charge while you weren't moving, but would start charging almost immediately when rolling. I ran 15,000 trouble free miles that way.
The problem for me was not so much the generator as it was finding a reliable regulator. I fought charging issues for months and on to years with my F1. Half a dozen regulators and three generator rebuilds and I would still have completely random charging issues. Now running a Powergen with the pulley swapped for an original Ford one. Puts out 90+ amps. Haven't had time to hide the breaker inside a regulator case but I'm in no huge hurry.
Plus, the Powergen had a HAMBer, EricE, working on the project. Several of us sent in old Gennies so they could develope the product.
One was on the flatty already , ( Stealth alternator ) the only problem I have & do not like , under 900 rpm's no charge. To many other things wright now to see why , but over 900 ok !
I have a Stealth Alternator on the 283 SBC in my '32 Pickup. The truck has been on the road since January (daily driven most of that time) and I am very happy with the unit. Like you, my trucks electrical demands are low with ignition & lights and 45 amps gets the job done just fine. No doubt the PowerGen is a nice unit but I certainly don't need 100 amp charging system and the cost is considerably higher. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another Stealth. Hosted on Fotki Are you considering purchasing it from Rotten Leonard on here? If so, he's a good guy!
Doesn't the wiring harness as well need to be updated then? Jus Sayin'. Assuming these "extra" amps will be used, one can't just slap a 100 amp alternator on without roasting the wiring in use. In theory it sounds like a good way to start a fire.
Seems to me years ago somebody was stuffing the guts from Toyota (or some other forgin car) alterators into old Generaters, if you supplied a core.
Thanks Dennis for the nice review. Exactly what I requested. Nice Pick Up as well. I followed along on your thread to mainly see how a stock unit looks. The 32 I'm doing for my girlfriend has a firewall that's been to hell and back. But with your photo's I was able to see detail's that had gotten lost or cut away. It to will be powered by a SBC that was already sitting between the frame rails by the time I got to it. Oh, and yes I would purchase it from Rotten. It was his classified is where I seen it.
Not an issue here because this is a full gut. I do my own wiring as well. Yes, I've seriously considered giving it a try. But not in the present. To many other thing's that can use this time more wisely.
Honestly on a deuce unless its totally high tech an alternator looks out of place. This said by a guy who doesn't really care town a deuce (maybe a 5 window ), or who normally overlooks things like alternators. I run electric pump, on my cars as a rule, and sometimes high zoot lighting. I doubt that I really need much more then 45-65 amps but I own a 110 that I built from scratch about 15 or so years ago. I really don't need it. I may go to an external regulated GM alternator. My builds are all pretty much '60s builds anyway and I converted lots of cars to the GM alternator when I was kid. OK off on a rabbit trail, the genny is the proper look in my mind. Either stealth or original. One could always use a gutted regulator for a junction box if need be.
An old regulator shouldn't be too hard to find, or worth much. Hell you could probably get a cheapo good one from the local auto parts for about 10 bucks if you could find a vintage one in someone's junk.