Quote:
CaptainBristol wrote:
Hi, Howard,
My amp meter shows a reasonably good charge when I pull away from the stop. The generator may not produce electrical power like it did when it was brand new, but it seems to me it cranks out enough juice to get the job done.
Do you have any thoughts in reference to my question about installing a more powerful device in place of my existing generator? I'm wondering if putting in an alternator that can produce up to 75 amps might fry some parts of my 61-year-old electrical system.
Thanks and all the best,
Mark
I don't know if you looked thru PowerGEN's tech section
http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/tech_help.html but they have answers to lots of questions. One thing that may need consideration is wire size. Depending on how you are going to install the unit, that could be marginal.
If you plan on a one wire alternator using the existing wire from gen to reg to ammeter and back to battery via the harness route that distance would be in their recommendation for a larger size wire. I didn't see a spec for the 50 models but 52 Packard lists a #10 so probably the earlier has that as well. Power gen suggests a #8 and possibly it could even fall into the distance a #6 is recommended. It might be worth a call or email to their tech support to discuss the specifics and their recommendations on bypassing the regulator.
Having said that, the alternator would not likely be putting out maximum for extended periods so in all probability your existing wire will be fine. Since you are not adding things like AC, the draw shouldn't be any worse than it is currently--just the alternator would be putting what's needed out at lower speeds. Would suggest clean terminals and have everything else in good condition though.
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