Re: 56 Exec. Generator to Alternator

Posted by HH56 On 2013/5/14 18:14:48

It's true the ammeter could be damaged if it was hit with excessive current but in fact, I'd worry less about the ammeter than I would the original wire loom.

The generator and regulator is spec'd and regulated for 30 amps maximum output and the wire size between the generator and regulator and battery etc is sized for that current plus a little over margin. Packard didn't see fit to provide a wire gauge reference for the 55-6 main loom but just looking, I think the majority of the gen/regulator/ammeter/battery run is probably 12ga. Jumpering the ammeter terminals with a 10ga would save the ammeter but wouldn't do much good if the rest of the run is 12.

If in fact the alternator should for some unknown reason put out it's max of typically around 65 amps into that smaller original wire, the wire could overheat and loom could be destroyed in short order.

Patgreen's mechanic ran a separate 8ga wire from the alternator to the battery in his conversion. While that totally eliminates the ammeter and adds an extra wire, it is IMO, a safer approach. You could run a separate wire in some protective plastic or fabric loom following the original down to the starter solenoid and join the main battery cable there. I believe Pat's mechanic also installed an indicator or idiot light under the dash in place of the ammeter.