Re: Need some ideas on how to hook up an alternato

Posted by jdemaris on December 23, 2005 at 05:56:09 from (69.67.230.159):

In Reply to: Re: Need some ideas on how to hook up an alternato posted by Hugh MacKay on December 23, 2005 at 03:23:53:

No insult intended here, but I think the word "quick" has different meaning for different people. For me, "quick" and taking a trip or two to the alternator shop don't go together in the same sentence.
About the Delco 10SI or 12SI alternators not needing any field - that's true in a way but not always useful. As is, with the standard OEM internal regulator, they will self-excite - but usually not until they are spinning at 2500 - 3000 RPM. So, that does not work great on a slow-running tractor engine, even if you put a tiny drive pulley on the alternator in order to speed it up. Now, when tractor companies use alternators, they usually did the opposite and put a big pulley on it to slow the alternator down - this makes it last longer and also provides more surface area for the belt to grip. On many Deere tractors, the alternator pulley was 2/3 the size of the crank-pulley, so at engine idle the alternator was only spinning around 600 RPM. To reach 3000 RPM - you'd have to override the governor and probably blow the engine up.
In regard to the hesitance some people have with using diodes - I don't get it. They are very reliable - but like anything else - what you use needs to be rated to handle the job. For those that don't like diodes - well - I guess then you'd better not use any alternators because they rely on many diodes to create direct-current as an end product.
Also, "experimentation" is not necessary if accurate facts are available. I ask questions in order to avoid experimenting.
There is no "one right way" to change over to an alternator, but here are plenty of wrong ways and overly complicated ways to do it. It all depends on what you want as an end result.
As far as I can tell, OLD asked a pretty straight forward question - installation without adding a switch.
In regard to the many ideas proposed - some will work great and some won't. In regard to the momentary field-exciter switches - either manual or those operated by a oil-pressure - they work if done correctly - but they will NOT work if you have a charge-indicator light. With most of my equipment, as a matter of personal choice, I use a ammeter and a charge-light. This requires a field circuit with a diode in it, or, an ignition switch with both an ACC and a IGN pole to keep the two circuits separated when in OFF position.
From what I've seen - the highest level of simplicity is to install a self-exciting internal voltage-regulator. It's a 15 minute job. I don't like them - but they do work fine.
I also rarely use Delcos anymore. The little Hitachis as used on older Subarus take up less room, last longer, and get wired the same.

Replies:

• Re: Need some ideas on how to hook up an alternato Hugh MacKay 06:46:39 12/23/05 (3)
  • Re: Need some ideas on how to hook up an alternato jdemaris 07:10:10 12/23/05 (2)
    • Re: Need some ideas on how to hook up an alternato Hugh MacKay 07:57:19 12/23/05 (1)
      • Re: Secret repair tricks jdemaris 08:10:07 12/23/05 (0)

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