Charging system

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 3, 2006 | 12:10 AM

ol'blue52

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 18

Likes: 0

Charging system

I'm going to rewire my 52 F-1. I'm undecided whether to use my 12 volt generator or to upgrade to and alternator. The truck will be converted to 12 volts. I'm not sure if the gen I have works as it came with my second engine and I've never run it. The one wire alt. would be much more simple to wire, but is there really that much of an advantage. What is the real difference between the two? Thanks for the info.

Apr 3, 2006 | 12:23 AM

TBucketJack

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 203

Likes: 0

From: Glendale, AZ

The alternator is the only way to go. It will charge at idle and will handle the additional loads put on a battery by A/C, stereo systems, and other accessories.

Apr 3, 2006 | 06:28 AM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,297

Likes: 1,059

From: NM

Any alternator will perform just fine. The 1-wires rated 100+ amps are overkill for an old truck unless you're running A/C, EFI, power windows, and a bunch of extra lights. 45-50 amps is plenty. The big advantage of a 1-wire on a 8BA flathead is just that there are a bunch of turnkey kits that bolt them up (I went with a Certified Electric set-up). I agree it is dynamite compared to a generator/regulator setup.

Before I sprung for the kit, I looked hard at making a Ford alternator I had laying around fit the stock flattie gen mount. It looked like it could be done pretty easily, also looked like an alternator from a late 80's Chev/GM truck was the same diameter as the original gennie and could be adapted easily, but then I'd have to figure out the wiring. I admit it, I took the easy way out -- wrote the check and didn't look back!