Generator vs Alternator
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 122
Likes: 49
A few technical questions...
What is the theory of operation?
Does it simply drive the generator at a constant and then raise/lower the BAT terminal voltage?
What is the frequency range and/or shape of the Field terminal signal?
What are the capacitance limits (ie for Radio noise suppression etc) on the Arm terminal?
What is the current limit? Is it adaptable to the different Ford/Mercury generator options (I see no configuration components such as jumpers or dip switches)?
What is the theory of operation?
Does it simply drive the generator at a constant and then raise/lower the BAT terminal voltage?
What is the frequency range and/or shape of the Field terminal signal?
What are the capacitance limits (ie for Radio noise suppression etc) on the Arm terminal?
What is the current limit? Is it adaptable to the different Ford/Mercury generator options (I see no configuration components such as jumpers or dip switches)?
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 122
Likes: 49
I will check with him on what he feels the price would be. You would have to supply the core for him to retro fit everything
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 466
From: Mason City, Iowa
A few technical questions...
What is the theory of operation?
Does it simply drive the generator at a constant and then raise/lower the BAT terminal voltage?
What is the frequency range and/or shape of the Field terminal signal?
What are the capacitance limits (ie for Radio noise suppression etc) on the Arm terminal?
What is the current limit? Is it adaptable to the different Ford/Mercury generator options (I see no configuration components such as jumps or dip switches)?
What is the theory of operation?
Does it simply drive the generator at a constant and then raise/lower the BAT terminal voltage?
What is the frequency range and/or shape of the Field terminal signal?
What are the capacitance limits (ie for Radio noise suppression etc) on the Arm terminal?
What is the current limit? Is it adaptable to the different Ford/Mercury generator options (I see no configuration components such as jumps or dip switches)?
Temperature compensation was another thing I was wondering about. That is a normal mechanical regulator, like an old style mechanical thermostat, has bi-metal in its armatures to compensate for charging the battery at higher under the hood temperatures. And finally can it handle a sustained 30 amps of current if a battery is severly discharged?
I am sure the desinger is a brilliant person, and it looks like a work of art! It's going to be interesting to see how it all works out in the long run.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 122
Likes: 49
This is true
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 122
Likes: 49
It wasn't the generator that I was having the problem with, it was the regulator. At one point I was thinking about changing over to a 6 volt pos ground alternator. The more I thought about it I decided not to as I am trying to keep it as original as I can. You can get a better re-sale for it if it is original. The last thing that I have to do is change out the oil pressure gauge. I am not looking forward to getting under the dash to pull out the instrument cluster. I am far from being as young as I used to be .
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 712
Likes: 130
It wasn't the generator that I was having the problem with, it was the regulator. At one point I was thinking about changing over to a 6 volt pos ground alternator. The more I thought about it I decided not to as I am trying to keep it as original as I can. You can get a better re-sale for it if it is original. The last thing that I have to do is change out the oil pressure gauge. I am not looking forward to getting under the dash to pull out the instrument cluster. I am far from being as young as I used to be .
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Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 1,768
From: Western NY
Use of an alternator does not eliminate a voltage regulator (and their point of failure). Some alternator systems use external regulators similar to our generator setups. Other alternator systems/styles move the regulator inside the alternator housing.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 712
Likes: 130
It internalizes it. No wiring issue, no figuring out which wires to jump together. Much easier. I know you don't like them. But I switched to alternator on 3 of my vehicles and they are much more enjoyable to drive and a lot less dependability issues.
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 1,768
From: Western NY
I don’t dislike alternators - I myself own vehicles and equipment that use them. What frustrates me is when people take pride in avoiding systems of which they are not familiar, such as these generator/regulator systems, instead of learning how to work with them. It reminds me of the absurdity seen in some of the younger people who are unable to and see no reason to learn how to read analog clocks simply because digital clocks exist.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 122
Likes: 49
How does the 6 volt pos ground alternator wire up??
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 1,768
From: Western NY
It depends upon the specific alternator setup. Some setups have sense wires (controls the internal voltage regulator - this goes close to the load center/fuse box, distribution point, battery sense wires go right to the battery)), idiot light signals (illuminates in discharge situations - this goes to the indicator), and bootstrap inputs (alternators are not self sufficient - they need bootstrap current to energize the charging system). Some setups take shortcuts and internalize these things to market themselves as "easier to wire", but then they don't separately sense power demands, charging demands, battery state and so on and so on. Other setups have external regulators and accompanying wiring.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,829
Likes: 466
From: Mason City, Iowa
If you are looking at doing this swap it looks like now is a good time to buy one. I see Speedway has them on sale right now.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Powermaster-PowerGEN-1949-53-Flathead-Ford-1-Wire-Alternators-6-Volt,42290.html
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Powermaster-PowerGEN-1949-53-Flathead-Ford-1-Wire-Alternators-6-Volt,42290.html
Last edited by hooler1; May 18, 2026 at 10:13 AM.
