Generator Issues...maybe?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 92
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From: AL
Generator Issues...maybe?
I'm pretty new to the world of automotive generators. I bought a 62 F100 a few months back. I'm loving tinkering with it, but have never dealt with a generator. My "generator" dash light is on all the time. At first I chalked it up to old truck quirks, but the last time I took it out for a drive I noticed that my lights were so dim I could barely see them, and I'm talking all the lights, including my turn signal indicators. It ran fine, but I'm guessing there is an issue with the generator.
Truthfully, I'd like to just convert it to alternator for reliability etc. I know nothing about this conversion. I know I can buy a bracket somewhere. But what alternator do I get? What belt do I need? How can I know this stuff? What do I need to do to the electrical system when I switch over?
Or is this just as simple as installing a new generator? I was thinking of going to electronic ignition at some point, so I was thinking I might want to go ahead a beef up the electrical system anyway.
Truthfully, I'd like to just convert it to alternator for reliability etc. I know nothing about this conversion. I know I can buy a bracket somewhere. But what alternator do I get? What belt do I need? How can I know this stuff? What do I need to do to the electrical system when I switch over?
Or is this just as simple as installing a new generator? I was thinking of going to electronic ignition at some point, so I was thinking I might want to go ahead a beef up the electrical system anyway.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
If the GEN light is illuminated, there is a fault in the charging system.
It may flicker dimly from time to time at idle RPM, this is not a cause for concern. Generators do not charge at low RPM, so the regulator cutout disconnects it. If GEN light is illuminated above idle RPM, then it needs investigating. Is the GEN light on with the ignition key OFF? This is a more serious indication, meaning the battery is back feeding voltage into the field windings.
I've ran the stock OEM generator, electronic ignition, halogen headlights etc in my slick for many years. It works fine, but it's not realistic to expect a 50+ year old generator charging system to work without having had some some preventive maintenance along the way. It's doubtful anybody has ever done that, at least on this side of the Johnson administration.
You can make it work, but you'll have to some research on the care & feeding of primitive technology. I would not buy another generator in hopes of fixing the problem. Odds of success are slim, though they are simple and easy to rebuild if you go that route.
It may flicker dimly from time to time at idle RPM, this is not a cause for concern. Generators do not charge at low RPM, so the regulator cutout disconnects it. If GEN light is illuminated above idle RPM, then it needs investigating. Is the GEN light on with the ignition key OFF? This is a more serious indication, meaning the battery is back feeding voltage into the field windings.
I've ran the stock OEM generator, electronic ignition, halogen headlights etc in my slick for many years. It works fine, but it's not realistic to expect a 50+ year old generator charging system to work without having had some some preventive maintenance along the way. It's doubtful anybody has ever done that, at least on this side of the Johnson administration.
You can make it work, but you'll have to some research on the care & feeding of primitive technology. I would not buy another generator in hopes of fixing the problem. Odds of success are slim, though they are simple and easy to rebuild if you go that route.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 276
As stated above all you probably need are new brushes. I had to replace them often when I had a generator in my 63.
3g alternators are ridiculously easy to install.
I put one in my ‘72. I used a 94 Mustang alternator. Had to drill out the pivot bolt hole on the alt to accept the 1/2” bolt on my 460.
I also used a 30831 Painless 3G harness.
https://buypainless.com/products/30831
Super simple installation instructions...
https://www.painlessperformance.com/Manuals/30831.pdf
Not sure if your pulley will swap to the 94 Mustang alternator. I swapped the v belt pulley on my stock 72 alternator onto the Mustang 3g alternator.
3g alternators are ridiculously easy to install.
I put one in my ‘72. I used a 94 Mustang alternator. Had to drill out the pivot bolt hole on the alt to accept the 1/2” bolt on my 460.
I also used a 30831 Painless 3G harness.
https://buypainless.com/products/30831
Super simple installation instructions...
https://www.painlessperformance.com/Manuals/30831.pdf
Not sure if your pulley will swap to the 94 Mustang alternator. I swapped the v belt pulley on my stock 72 alternator onto the Mustang 3g alternator.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
I never paid any attention to the generator when I first got my 64, it did an OK job charging I guess. It always started at least. Brushes last maybe 20k miles? More? They seem to last pretty good. Back when everybody drove these things daily, that would have been an issue though. That's a long time for a sunday driver. I'm not advocating for generators, they got replaced for some good reasons.
My experience is it's the regulators get wonky. They are mechanical, and have vibrating contact points in the relays that govern voltage, current, and the cutout. These have to be cleaned now and then, or there will be trouble guaranteed. Nobody does this. The cutout points stick closed and roasts the field winding due to the battery backfeeding into the generator. I do like generators from an education standpoint.
Everything changes, high tech, and yet everything kind of stays the same. If a mechanic starts out with a good understanding of these, they will be better all around at working on the modern, more complex equipment. They will recognize faults through the extra layers of modern bullshirt more accurately.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 276
How many miles is often?
I never paid any attention to the generator when I first got my 64, it did an OK job charging I guess. It always started at least. Brushes last maybe 20k miles? More? They seem to last pretty good. Back when everybody drove these things daily, that would have been an issue though. That's a long time for a sunday driver. I'm not advocating for generators, they got replaced for some good reasons.
My experience is it's the regulators get wonky. They are mechanical, and have vibrating contact points in the relays that govern voltage, current, and the cutout. These have to be cleaned now and then, or there will be trouble guaranteed. Nobody does this. The cutout points stick closed and roasts the field winding due to the battery backfeeding into the generator. I do like generators from an education standpoint.
Everything changes, high tech, and yet everything kind of stays the same. If a mechanic starts out with a good understanding of these, they will be better all around at working on the modern, more complex equipment. They will recognize faults through the extra layers of modern bullshirt more accurately.
I never paid any attention to the generator when I first got my 64, it did an OK job charging I guess. It always started at least. Brushes last maybe 20k miles? More? They seem to last pretty good. Back when everybody drove these things daily, that would have been an issue though. That's a long time for a sunday driver. I'm not advocating for generators, they got replaced for some good reasons.
My experience is it's the regulators get wonky. They are mechanical, and have vibrating contact points in the relays that govern voltage, current, and the cutout. These have to be cleaned now and then, or there will be trouble guaranteed. Nobody does this. The cutout points stick closed and roasts the field winding due to the battery backfeeding into the generator. I do like generators from an education standpoint.
Everything changes, high tech, and yet everything kind of stays the same. If a mechanic starts out with a good understanding of these, they will be better all around at working on the modern, more complex equipment. They will recognize faults through the extra layers of modern bullshirt more accurately.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Sure, but how many miles?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 972
From: Tri Cities, TN
It is always good idea to take it to a machine shop and have them clean up the commutator when you change brushes. Those things get rough and overheated over time and can wear out a set of brushes pretty quick. My old Atlas lathe that was born the same year I was came with an armature chuck. Most turbine engines still use generators they do double duty as the starter also. And a new one costs more than my truck is worth.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 276
Not sure. Enough that I got tired of doing it and installed a 10SI GM alternator.
Ive probably put close to 500,000 miles on this truck in the 35 years I’ve owned it.
Ive probably put close to 500,000 miles on this truck in the 35 years I’ve owned it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
It's fun to see how old stuff works, and maintain it, but it would be a real pain as a daily driver. Points, generators, carburetors, etc. Most families only had one car, and got quite a workout, and dear old Dad couldn't do everything. On the other hand stuff like this made for a busy corner Repair shop or Service Station. Practically a license to print money, and no need to be a crook or gouge your customers. Every make was similar enough, easy to work on with wide open engine bay. Today? Yikes. They don't need repair very often, God help you if they do.
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