RE: IML: more on alternators

["Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>]

There is no question about the fact that the technology in the modern one
wire alternator/regulator design is a vast improvement over the original
separate device design and the electromechanical regulator. 

In fact any alternator is an enormous improvement over the old generators,
in all but one respect (the ability to generate electricity even with no
battery at all).   However, I like to keep my cars all original, just
because it adds to the challenge, I guess.  Also, if one of my
pre-alternator cars won't start due to a totally dead battery, I can always
roll it down my driveway and get it going.  Even the automatic cars can be
started this way, if they were built before the bean counters decided to
remove the rear pump (in 1965 or so).

But, where authenticity is not an issue, I too have the one wire alternator
- for instance in my 52 Ford tow truck, which has a Chevy 409 engine!  (No,
I didn't do it, I got it that way).  The charging system is wonderful, as
you say, and if I were designing a charging system today, that is what I
would use also.

But since you mention, I do rebuild my own generators, alternators and even
the occasional regulator, when I have to - I like the challenge, and I'm
also the most frugal old car guy you'll ever come across - I enjoy cheating
the vendors out of their profit!  I also do my own water pumps, power
steering pumps, carburetors, starters, distributors, transmissions, engine -
you name it - because that is what I enjoy doing, and it keeps me from
hanging out at the bars all day!  Most of the parts in our old cars are
amazingly simple and easy to fix and rebuild, and the parts you need are on
the shelf at any NAPA store for most of them - it ain't rocket science!

Dick Benjamin

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mike Pittinaro
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 5:33 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: IML: more on alternators


> add anything.  I have not
> actually had the pleasure of fixing one of the later
> design alternators yet,
> but I have filed your excellent description for my
> own use, when the need arises.

What's that phrase, "Praise from Caesar"?  

Dick, I didn't think you had ever even worked on an
alternator.  Figured they were too new-fangled for
you.    Doesn't one of those Packards have a vacuum
tube regulator?  I'll bet you could design one!

I personally have become a sold-on fan of the newer,
one-wire alternators.  I installed a 100 amp,
Delco-style model on my '67 volvo in place of its 30
amp generator and was stunned at the improvement.  No
more flickering AMP light.  No more varying-brightness
headlights.  No more static in the AM radio.  No more
bird's nest of wiring under the hood to the decrepit
Bosche regulator and that boat-anchor of a gennie. 
Cost?  About $70 for the alternator.  Time?  About 2
hours, and a custom-fabricated bracket.  Hookup?  One
4 gauge wire from the alternator to the battery. 
That's it.  The alternator self-grounds to the engine
(make sure your engine-body strap is in good shape!)

--Mike Pittinaro

'To Engineer' was never meant to signify poking around with a mouse on a
Nintendo-on-steroids computer system.

'It's a shallow life that doesn't give a person a few scars' 
-- Garrison Keillor

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