Just purchased this buick a week ago, generator is putting out low voltage @ 11.77v and 30amps. think i would like to install alternator. question is hooking up "idot light". Dont want single post that I will have to rev. Seems there should be an easy connection solution with existing harness that does not require running new wires to dash to make light work. Have looked at GenerNator option, little expensive. May just just rebuild generator. Input anybody? Thanks
Rebuild the generator. I've never understood why people insist on this conversion. Same head scratcher as the "one wire alternator" conversion.
I agree on the rebuild. BTW: Have you checked your regulator? Those old Delco generators are about as reliable as a generator can be. My airplane has one (the airplane was built in 1956). I have often been asked why I don't convert it to a higher-output alternator. My stock answer is that if the alternator manufacturer will guarantee that the alternator will be as reliable as the Delco generator, I'll order one right now. So far, no takers.
I'd have to disagree with Adam and John - go with an alternator conversion and be done with it. I'm planning on converting mine. I'm sick of the generator barely charging at idle. Sorry, but I don't have a source for you, just thought I'd toss in my 2 cents.
Good read on the subject here. http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/gm-3-wire-alternator-idiot-light-hook-up-154278.html
If I were building a car from scratch, or doing an engine conversion where the new engine was equipped with an alternator - I'd always go with the alternator. Taking the output out of the stationary stator makes more sense then taking it through a sliding contact - the brushes - off the rotating armature. Having said that, I cannot recall a single incident where I had a problem due to a factory generator not charging adequately. I am of course, referring to generators that were working properly. I have had generator failures, but the same is true of alternators. On a vintage car I would leave the good ole Delco DC generator in place.
iv been considering this conversion for my 62 special. Main reason is for installing car audio. I wont be installing 3 2000 watt amps or anything but i maybe installing 1 300 watt amp and 3 to 5 speakers (2 fronts, 2 rears, 1 sub) The lest i can install would be the head unit and 4 speakers off of its own amp. I wonder how well the gen can handle the 300 watt amp or even just the head unit alone.
I guess that would be where the problem is; - it totally depends what you're going to do with the car. If you're going to leave the stock radio and electronics in it, you're probably better off to rebuild the generator, it'll do. However, I'm told that modern electronics are very sensitive to amp and voltage swings, and the old contact point regulators react a little too slowly on surges, -and promptly fry modern circuitry before the fuse pops. Caveat: I have no way to verify this, maybe one of the stereo or electronics experts can help with this. I haven't had much experience with this, the only old car I had with a modern stereo and a generator did exactly that; the generator fried, the regulator stuck, and my deck fried instantaneously before the fuse popped. The car was an old Mercedes, so it didn't have very good electrics to begin with, just that old Bosch junk, nothing anywhere near as reliable as AC Delco was in that same period. Just an observation...
Darn I want to put a modern radio in my 60 Electra w/generator. Nothing fancy or huge. Just a normal CD player (hidden). Is this a bad idea ? Are your concerns correct ?
Maybe we should move this thread over to the electrical board, - see if one of the "experts" there can help out. I think the only reason my stereo cooked in that Mercedes was because the car was initially at idle, the generator was in the process of failing, (the charge light was flickering on) and when I stepped on the gas to rev it up the regulator was slow to respond and the resulting surge blew it all apart. With an alternator this isn't a problem, they usually idle at 14 volts and the regualtors are constantly controling.
