Posted by Hugh MacKay on November 15, 2007 at 02:40:15 from (216.208.58.141):
In Reply to: Generator vs alternator posted by Scott Rukke on November 14, 2007 at 21:04:19:
Scott: A lot of folks treat this question as singular in nature, when in fact there are two distinct issues. First being alternator versus generator and the second being 6 volt versus 12 volt. Give me either 6 volt or 12 volt, one will be as successful as the other on pre 1958 Farmalls. Then I find the deepest pit and bury all generators, and bury the regulators 10' deeper.
I have three alternator tractors, a 6 volt Super A and 12 volt 130 and 140, and the SA and 130 have 15 years on them now with alternator, starting in Canadian winters. Not only was my SA the cheapest change over, it has been the most trouble free. bear in mind my tractors have been pretty much work tractors with much improve lighting for night operation. This added and brighter lights is where the generator falls down, just doesn't turn out enough amps to maintain the system.
Back in 1992 I decided to change my 130 to 12 volt as I had a metering attachment on vegetable seeding equipment with a 12 volt motor. I decided I'd keep the generator as a spare for the SA that I would keep 100% original. Within two weeks both generators went kaput. I landed at an auto electric shop, told him I have a new 6 volt battery and this has to be quick as I need this tractor fast. He replied, "Quick with that old generator will be two weeks as I don't have the parts, quick with a 6 volt alternator will be 5 minutes, as all I have to do is change the internal regulator in a Delco, same price as if it were 12 volt. About 45 min fabricating mounting and I had an operating tractor.
As I said that was 1992, basically these tractors have been trouble free electrically ever since. Those old generators cause far more problems than we ever believe. For me gone is that bananna box full of old regulators, caps, points, coils, etc., etc. I go once per year to CaseIH to pick up a supply of oil filters, points, condencers, rotors, caps, etc. Often times this happens when I'm out anyhow, thus I check my inventory from memory. Yesterday, I needed a sediment bowl screen and gasket, decided to go through my inventory. I have 7 sets of points-condencers, 5 rotors, 2 distributor caps, 5 screens and gaskets for bowl, numerous fuses, 6 oil filters, and a host of other items. My point being, electrical is the most predominant surplus item, and that clearly goes back to the generator days and buying these items tooooo often.
Cost is the single biggest factor in favour of the alternator, one can buy a new alternator off the shelf for $45., used at an auto recyclers for $15. and you could very easily sink a $150. rebuilding that old generator, and I'm betting it wouldn't be as reliable as the $15. used alternator.
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