Converting generator to alternator

[chris vickery]

Richard
Not sure on the carrier ex bracket mod but I do know that on this side of the pond alternator conversions have been done on Ford flatheads.
A friend of mine did one on his 1937 coupe. A few years ago there was a gentleman in the US who was manufacturing brackets which fit in place of the generator bracket to adapt regular one wire alternators.
Maybe one of the big shops like Mac's does these now?
I have seen many types of brackets made for the purpose but the best style is one where the front of the alternator has been machined to accept the bracket as part of the intergral housing, giving the alternator the classic "look'' of a generator
With your fan extension you may be looking to a custom fabrication

[Ben]

The one I got from Jim is a copy of the old style generator but with an alternator inside. If it didn't fit straight on it must be a pretty simple modification to get it on the carrier mount.

Perhaps send the mount down so he can offer it up??

The Scout uses a standard truck style mount, the special bracket came along during the MK1's. I think theres a serial number in one of the British parts book.

You may need to modify your ammeter if its wired for a generator.

[Lynn Eades]

Being a MkI*, i assume she has a 3 brush 6v generator that you put a 12 volt cut out on?
British carriers came with a "prince of darkness" model.
Basically you could put your drive end plate on a Lucas C39, if you can find a suitable armature to take your carrier drive dog.
An alternator needs higher rpm, and so will require a very small pulley.
It will be interesting to see what you do.

[chris vickery]

On this side of the pond, we usually install a low cut in regulator into the alternator to facilitate the use of the OEM pulleys on lower rpm engines.
Many fellows doing a generator to alternator swap on old tractors and machinery opt for this as these machines spend more time idling than they do high rpm driving.
The GM 10SI alternator uses a one wire hookup to make things really easy.
I also found a guy in the USA who will build you an entire alternator inside the original generator field casing; outward appearance is that of a total stock generator with new alternator technology inside. Check out www.gener-nator.com

[lssah2025]

Chris, thanks for that info, I am having some charging issues with my Lucas on my HSC, might have to look into him.

[Lynn Eades]

You could buy a small alternator that could have its "sticky out bits" machined off to fit it into your housing, a source being the likes of small Fiat tractors, and some of the small Japanese power packs.----Just some more thoughts----
A 6 volt geny can be converted to 12 volt by installing 12 volt field coils. The 6 volt armature can handle it, but a 12 volt armature is not up to it in a 6 volt application.
Most "run of the mill" batteries sold these days are "calcium" batteries (last 5 years or more). They tend not to work well in a generator application, so when you buy a battery for your old pride and joy, fitted with a generator, it would make sense to buy a suitable battery.

[The Bedford Boys]

Absolutely right about the choice of battery Lynn. I had all sorts of trouble with my land rover and resorted to taking it to a trained mechanic to look at (something I loathe doing because it costs money). He told me the new batteries are no good for old generator systems, so now I have a new lead-acid battery fitted and have no more problems.

The truck I got the engine for my carrier out of had had the generator converted to 12V by the army. Even has 12V stamped into it. The truck never drove anywhere in civilian ownership so I know it was done by the army.

[Rob Beale]

We have changed our Ford Generators to 12V by swapping the Ford body and field coils for a Lucas one. The Ford Armature and end plates fit straight in/on without adjustment.

I will have to look at it on Sunday to tell you what Lucas model we used.

Rob