To generate or to alternate?

[Joe R.]

I'm one of those that rarely posts here, but I feel compelled to share my recent experience on my 54.

I especially enjoy driving my 54, putting about 3k miles per year on her. Living in the high desert in Calif., I experience some pretty hot summer and fall days, so I put most of my miles on her at night, when the temp drops from anywhere from 95-110 during the day to about 70 at night.

Using the headlights, radio (yes, 6 volt Wonderbar), and sometimes the heater, I have experienced some battery drain, especially if I get into some heavy traffic. In doing so, I've had some difficulty starting the car the next day. After a lot of analyses, I've concluded that the battery just never seems to get a full charge from the generator/regulator combo under these conditions. It's really no fault of the parts, just the design reality of low generator charge at low RPM's.

A friend recommended a 6 volt alternator solution. I purchased one from an antique parts monger, and installed it about 3 weeks ago. What an improvement! Not only have I solved my starting issues, but my headlights never dim at low RPM's, and the ignition voltage maintains a higher voltage at engine cranking. Should I mention the anticipated maintenance improvements (no brushes, oil cups, etc.)?

Forgive me, purists. I have to admit that, although I want to maintain my car at it's original finest, the alternator really makes this car function better than the generator can perform.

Just my $0.02

Joe Ryan
24865

[Joe L.]

Re: To generate or to alternate?

I'm one of those that rarely posts here, but I feel compelled to share my recent experience on my 54.

I especially enjoy driving my 54, putting about 3k miles per year on her. Living in the high desert in Calif., I experience some pretty hot summer and fall days, so I put most of my miles on her at night, when the temp drops from anywhere from 95-110 during the day to about 70 at night.

Using the headlights, radio (yes, 6 volt Wonderbar), and sometimes the heater, I have experienced some battery drain, especially if I get into some heavy traffic. In doing so, I've had some difficulty starting the car the next day. After a lot of analyses, I've concluded that the battery just never seems to get a full charge from the generator/regulator combo under these conditions. It's really no fault of the parts, just the design reality of low generator charge at low RPM's.

A friend recommended a 6 volt alternator solution. I purchased one from an antique parts monger, and installed it about 3 weeks ago. What an improvement! Not only have I solved my starting issues, but my headlights never dim at low RPM's, and the ignition voltage maintains a higher voltage at engine cranking. Should I mention the anticipated maintenance improvements (no brushes, oil cups, etc.)?

Forgive me, purists. I have to admit that, although I want to maintain my car at it's original finest, the alternator really makes this car function better than the generator can perform.

Just my $0.02

Joe Ryan
24865

Joe-----


GM and all other auto manufacturers did not change from generators to alternators because the generators worked just as well. From a functional perspective, alternators are the way-to-go. Period.

[Duke W.]

Re: To generate or to alternate?

Alternators produce a lot more amperage at low rotor speeds than DC generators. Plus, since alternator brushes only carry field current, they last virtually forever. Generator brushes carry the entire system current load and wear out a lot sooner.

I think 1963 was the first year Chevrolet used alternators on most or all models including Corvette, and it was a HUGE improvement that most of use take for granted.

Alternators produce three phase AC, which is then rectified to DC (with a little ripple) through the diode trio and diode bridge.

It was the advent of the inexpensive solid state diode that allowed alternators to replace traditional DC generators.

Duke

[Mike M.]

Re: To generate or to alternate?

I'm one of those that rarely posts here, but I feel compelled to share my recent experience on my 54.

I especially enjoy driving my 54, putting about 3k miles per year on her. Living in the high desert in Calif., I experience some pretty hot summer and fall days, so I put most of my miles on her at night, when the temp drops from anywhere from 95-110 during the day to about 70 at night.

Using the headlights, radio (yes, 6 volt Wonderbar), and sometimes the heater, I have experienced some battery drain, especially if I get into some heavy traffic. In doing so, I've had some difficulty starting the car the next day. After a lot of analyses, I've concluded that the battery just never seems to get a full charge from the generator/regulator combo under these conditions. It's really no fault of the parts, just the design reality of low generator charge at low RPM's.

A friend recommended a 6 volt alternator solution. I purchased one from an antique parts monger, and installed it about 3 weeks ago. What an improvement! Not only have I solved my starting issues, but my headlights never dim at low RPM's, and the ignition voltage maintains a higher voltage at engine cranking. Should I mention the anticipated maintenance improvements (no brushes, oil cups, etc.)?

Forgive me, purists. I have to admit that, although I want to maintain my car at it's original finest, the alternator really makes this car function better than the generator can perform.

Just my $0.02

Joe Ryan
24865

after replacing three generators on our 54 on the road tour to anaheim calif in the early 90's, i too switched to an alternator and have had no troubles with the 54. i was aware of generator problems before we left for anaheim and carried the extra generators with our tour. i believe the generator in the 6 cyl vettes is exposed to considerably more engine heat than the 8 cyl c-1's. mike