gen. vs alt.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 1,731
From: AKRON ohio
When everything is functional they seem to do a fine job. I have a generator on my 56 with no problems. You may run into problems if you start running alot of accessories., (lights, boom box kicker sound system etc.)
Kevin Bigwin56f100
Kevin Bigwin56f100
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 1
From: The County
thanks. I'm not going to have anything in it that wasn't a factory option for that year,no fancy light system,no big high powered stereo,no electrical equipment add ons.just plain and simple.thats one of the reasons i like the older trucks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 553
From: Kalispell, MT
I kept my generator (converted to 12V like yours) in the '48 and have driven it daily for 2 1/2 years. In my experience an alternator will bring the battery back to full charge within a couple of miles, and a generator takes about twice as far - 3 or 4 miles. Not enough where I drive it to matter in the least.
Another plus with the gennie - if your battery should drain completely a generator will recharge it from a flat condition. An alt will not - it needs juice to make juice.
Another plus with the gennie - if your battery should drain completely a generator will recharge it from a flat condition. An alt will not - it needs juice to make juice.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 1
From: Racine WI
I think its Fifth Avenue Auto Parts out of somewhere in iowa, they make a dandy 6 volt alternator that is a 1 wire set up, the generator battery wire is all you need, i swapped the gen pulley onto the new alt, and modified the orig lower gen bracket to mount the alt.
The six volt alt is in a delco case and cost me about 150 when i bought it, it put out about 60 amps, no more yellow candle lights and slow crank ups
The six volt alt is in a delco case and cost me about 150 when i bought it, it put out about 60 amps, no more yellow candle lights and slow crank ups
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,405
Likes: 5,416
From: Central PA
My 50 cents worth: keep the generator. Just get it rebuilt (if it needs it),put in new cables (make sure they are '00' size, real big just like original), make sure you have good grounds at all places. You should have no problems.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
The amount of night driving you do might be a factor too...also, if you have electric wipers. A generator will hardly keep up when you run the lights, and add electric wipers and it won't keep up. There's a reason generators aren't used anymore. They weren't nearly as efficient. I'd convert it to an alternator...
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: AKRON ohio
Mine has electric wipers, a heater, and I used both along with the headlights on for at least half of my 525 mile trip to pigeon forge as I drove all night.
My marmon herrington F-600 rool back with an electric winch worked fine also. It too had electric wipers, a heater and a few extra bed lights. All of this with no problems. Both of these trucks received new brushes and regulators, and as Abe stated I too repaced the battery cables.
Kevin Bigwin56f100
My marmon herrington F-600 rool back with an electric winch worked fine also. It too had electric wipers, a heater and a few extra bed lights. All of this with no problems. Both of these trucks received new brushes and regulators, and as Abe stated I too repaced the battery cables.
Kevin Bigwin56f100
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Kevin,
Yep, as long as you are moving at speed you will be okay. It's the slow cruizing and idling that gets ya. As a previous owner of many vehicles with generators over the years, I still prefer an alternator...
Yep, as long as you are moving at speed you will be okay. It's the slow cruizing and idling that gets ya. As a previous owner of many vehicles with generators over the years, I still prefer an alternator...
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,484
Likes: 7
From: New Egypt, New Jersey
Hi Fordfaggiole
I've had both (Gen. on my '59 F-100, Alt on my '59 F-250).
Never had a problem with either.
You probably already know this, but I figured It might be worth mentioning anyway. The 50 amp alternator was a factory option available on 1958 Ford trucks.
I've had both (Gen. on my '59 F-100, Alt on my '59 F-250).
Never had a problem with either.
You probably already know this, but I figured It might be worth mentioning anyway. The 50 amp alternator was a factory option available on 1958 Ford trucks.
Last edited by Kenny; Dec 31, 2003 at 09:26 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 3
From: Pensacola Florida
Kenny can you post a picture of that alt.
As a item of interest you can get a alternator conversion that comes in your original gen case and puts out about 50 amps. I might lean that way.
As a item of interest you can get a alternator conversion that comes in your original gen case and puts out about 50 amps. I might lean that way.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Let me tell my generator story if any one cares to hear. I was 16 driving my 57. I thought a bungee cord would hold my battery in well I was wrong. The battery fell off the tray and landed on my exhaust manifold melted a hole in the battery. I had to remove the battery. So I was miles from home with no way to start my truck it was very late at night. I was near the top of a long hill so I decided drift it to the bottom. On the way down I thought I might try to drift start the truck. Put the truck in gear turned on the key and guess what. The old Y block fired up. Every thing worked lights heater wipers radio all with no battery.