Re: Generator to Alternator Conversion

Posted by Reyman R. Branting On 2008/2/18 0:36:34

I'll put my two cents worth in, too.
I have a couple of 55 400s. As someone indicated, there are some spouses who won't ride in a non-air conditioned car. To put in a Vintage unit, the system must be negative ground. I had a generator repair shop install an alternator and change to negative ground. Still haven't changed the amp meter to negative ground so it shows discharge when the alternator is charging.
In talking with an auto A/C shop owner, he pointed out that the one wire alternators pump all the juice into the battery. If you are driving with lights and air conditioning on, a lot of current is being driven through the battery. With two wire units, the alternator feeds the accesseries directly and anything left ovr charges the battery as needed. Logically, this would lead to lower temperatures in the battery and longer battery life.
Was the A/C shop owner correct or blowing smoke rings?
A couple of years ago I found a distributor in Pittsburgh that carried 6 volt alternators. Don't recall if they were positive or negative ground. Also found a shop that converts negative ground alternatives to positive ground. Email me if you want names and phone numbers. Bernardi11@comcast.net

Bernardi