Okay I've killed a lot of brain cells in my day but have I seen advertised somewhere that somebody is offering a alternator that looks like an old skool generator? Oh is my wife correct when she says "What the hell are you thinking?" My safest reply so far is "old cars".
Introduction here ...http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/forums/new-to-the-h-a-m-b-introduce-yourself-here.18/ http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/powergen.html HRP
There's at least one other company besides Powermaster making them, and cheaper too. I've never had much luck keeping a generator going; they all seem to throw solder with 7K powershifts. Did anyone notice the OP's avatar? Post some more pics of that! I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
They're pretty much limited the same as a real generator; while they're capable of higher output, running them like that will burn them out. The only real advantage is they do have usable output at slow speeds. If your generator is adequate for the current electrical load, one would work. If your planning on adding to the load, go with a real alternator.
OK, now you guys got me wondering. What makes the PowerGens more prone to failure than a "normal" alternator? Is it the (presumably) steel case vs. the aluminum case of the standard alternator? Wouldn't the same issue be caused by a chromed aluminum case alternator as well? Now I'm curious.
I use a 12 volt 50's generator and cut the mounting tabs off to mount them on a flathead mount. Same exact diameter. Steve, I have also used a powergen on another vehicle now for three years with no problems. Exactly what do you mean by "running them like that will burn them up" damn things are very expensive to have problems like that?
It's lack of cooling, but it has much more to do with the design rather than materials. The long, smaller-diameter 'generator' case simply doesn't have enough room inside to allow for adequate cooling through the case at high ampere output. There's three manufacturers of these that I'm aware, all use very similar designs, but only one admits that these do have practical limits. Pete, these alternators are generally only rated to 75 amps maximum. That doesn't mean you can run them that hard continuously. The general rule with any power-producing electrical device is the safe continuous rating will be 80% of maximum, maybe less depending on who you buy from. If your maximum electrical load is under that amount, you'll have no issues. If you use one above that 80% number, it will overheat.
Ok thx I understand. I am running lights, fuel pump and two electric fans. Looks like I can consider myself lucky. As far as size, these are a lot bigger than say a 60's GM alternator. But I must admit those look to have more ventilation areas than the powergen.
A modern alternator is producing more output than a vintage 25-35amp generator, the more amperage produced the more heat it will generate, look at a modern alternator, they are small and capable of producing high amounts of amperage but have been equipped with "flutes" on the casing and internal fans to dissipate the heat , the alternators and generators "suck" the "cooling air' REAR to FRONT, (most rectifiers and regulators are located in the rear of the unit) Powergens try to emulate the look of a vintage generator and thus suffer from a design flaw (no cooling flutes!) which is not enough cooling & heat dissipation; The units will overheat and the electronics will fail. And this is all for the sake of having the "look" of a vintage generator. Look at some of the modern vehicles with high output modern generators, some of them are air cooled with ducts and some are even encased in the engine block and use coolant to keep the temps down!
It's Ed Whitney (http://www.ejwhitneyco.com/automotive.html). I've had one of his generator lookalike conversions in my 6v positive ground '40 for 10 years, and have had no problems with it. He uses the end plates from your original generator, and and fabricates the rest of the case and the pulley. I've been told the alternator unit comes from a Kubota tractor, but don't know for sure.
Hey Silent Rick : If you see my Sister, tell her I said HI ! ! ! (selfish disgusting anti-social bad influence friend of the devil seeks an intelligent young hard belly with large breasts to dance naked for my amusement, keep my bike and house clean and buy me nice things. must ride on fender.) VR&C.
Ed Whitney in Buena Park,CA.Ask for Tom his son. Tel 714-773-1611 He does the ones for Flatheads.Uses the front and rear end parts and machines a new housing out of aluminum and connects the small alt to the pulley..The only drawback is it only puts out 40 amps.He has done 2 for me and several for friends.I had no problems and they did the job.Used to be around $350 and you supply a core.30-60 day wait.
www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29715 My Powergen, just need to place the old generator tag with drive rivets over the ID.
I put an alternator from a forklift inside an original flathead generator case 4 years ago when I was building my 33. Now my buddy wants me to build him one for the flathead in his 34 3window. I can't seem to remember if it was on here that I saw the instructions to build it. Does anyone remember?
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