Do I need an altenator???

[chuck1006]

I am adding spot lights to my 1959 100-6. Is this OK with the generator? I also have added an aftermarket radio/CD player. If I should switch to an altenator, what are th e best options?
Thanks

 

[Keoke]

Hi Chuck, I run driving lights,interior lights and a high powered sound sytem in my car and I have not found it necessary to switch to an alternator. On the otherhand, the alternator is the more reliable and higher current output of the two devices and is a desireable upgrade for the electrical system.---Fwiw---Keoke

 

[BUNDYRUM]

Hello chuck1006, if you work out how much current each item on the car uses up and by that i mean headlights,park lights, indicators, brake lights,heater, wipers, ignition system plus all the add on pieces of electrical gadgetry. Then compare this with the output of the generator which on the 100/6 is 22 amps you may see a need to get an alternator. Of course you have to decide just how much you use the car and if any of it is at night (where it's nice to have bright headlights). If you're still wanting it then i would suggest getting one with a built in regulator. I have had one on my BN7 for a long time now that is a Delco unit that came of a 1970's Buick. It was originally a 35 amp unit that i upgraded to 55 amp with a kit from Summit Racing. Hope this hepls, regards, BUNDYRUM.

 

[Skip & Lynne]

Hi Chuck I put one in my car and don`t regret it at all and I have no radio or bigger lights. I made my mounts here in the shop and used a really small 60 amp internally regulated Nippondenso alternator go to a local junk yard and get the plug for the alternator. About 1/3 the size of the big G/M single wire I was gonna use.It`s a simple mount and 2 or 3 of the guys here gave me the info on the wiring and it`s a snap.I use a single wire back to the battery side of starter solenoid to charge the battery. Skip

 

[vette]

Hi Chuck, as Keoke says, you may very well be able to get by without changing over to an alternator. It depends alot on your style of driving and how much night driving you do. When I drive at night I try to keep my RPMs up more because I am using the lights, etc. Some times not using the overdrive as much. Also when I'm out at night it means that I am on my way home from a long day trip, one in which I am doing some distance driving and the rpm's are usually higher than just short juants for errands. But even at that, if you start to pull the rated out put of the generator even at Higher rpms then the fast running won't help. If you do decide to go to an Alternator set-up, then I could suggest that you contact the North Texas Austin Healey Club, (NTAHC). They have for sale a very nice kit with polished brackets,etc. I have bought it and looked it over but have not installed it yet. but I'm impressed with the workmanship. Another thing that you will want to consider when going to an alternator is that the car will have to be set up for negative ground. My car is positive ground and I haven't made the conversion yet. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Michael Oritt]

I didn't need one until I installed a voltmeter.

 

[vette]

Yes Michael, I believe I know where your coming from. I put a good quality digital VM on my system just for test purposes and discovered that my generator wasn't putting out much above normal battery voltage until somewhere above 2000 rpms if my memory serves right. Just running around town the first summer I had it, and the battery was getting weaker all the time. I used to put it on the charger once in a while when I was working in the shop just to make sure it was getting a full charge now and then. I then took the time to test and adjust the regulator, cranking it up just a smigin, it seems that I gave it just enough because my battery has held up now for 2 summers. As a coincidence, this week-end, i took the time to charge all the batteries in my 'toys' as they are in suspended animation for the winter right now. that would include a battery for the vette and healey each, and three in my boat. The Healey was the only one that the battery was in alittle bit of a discharge. That is because it never really gets a good charge while running. that old 25 amp generator just can't keep up completely. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
PS. Michael, that was a nice article that your wife wrote in the Healey Marque magazine.

 

[Michael Oritt]

[ QUOTE ]
Michael, that was a nice article that your wife wrote in the Healey Marque magazine.

[/ QUOTE ]

Vette:

I haven't seen it yet as we're down in Florida and the mail has not been forwarded.

As long as we are talking about alternators, there are more choices in the world than just the NAPA/Delco that is usually recommended to us. For example, I installed a Leece-Neville (Prestolite) 70 amp alternator on my 100 (I chose it because it came with a split shiv which allowed me to retain the 5/8" fanbelt) and it has been bulletproof for about four years. It has an external regulator (see attached photo)--I have it hung on a CAPE mount but it would not be very difficult to fabricate one from scratch.

On the other hand I have the commonly used NAPA alternator on my wife's 3000 and it has been an occasional source of trouble--I went through three of them at the very outset trying to find one that did not have defective front bearings. Then when the original broke down last fall I encountered a run of units with bad regulators (three of them were putting out 18 volts and smoking the fuel pump--perhaps some of you remember that fiasco.)

The only good thing about NAPA is that they are readily available and if you buy the GOLD series it is warranted for life. However I don't think the color relates to the quality of the workmanship--merely the price you pay for the original unit.

 

[vette]

Michael, your point is well taken. I've hear and read about other alternators to use but to be honest haven't given them alot of attention because I use NAPA parts alot. But maybe I have been just lucky and shouldn't be so exclusive. I have already bought the brackets and the NAPA alernator. YOU DID MENTION something about the wideth of the belt. I was under the impression that I would use the same width belt as the original Healey belt, is that not the case? By the way I remember the discussion about your fuel pump failing. Do you believe it really was the alternator causing the problem? That could be alittle scary because how can you guard against transients coming out of an Alternator.
A quick change of topic, the healey blue on you wifes car looks most apropriate. Mine will one day be healey blue again. Do you know what/whos paint that is, maybe a supplier and code. Hope you get the mag soon. The article and pics are very nice. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif