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Need more electrical power
PD_RS-RA - December 22nd, 2005 at 10:49 AM

Whats the easiest way to get more electrical power out of a 1970 beetle? It will have a 1500 engine.

Basically, it's getting a full stereo / video install and for that I want to run dual batteries. I assume the standard alternator / generator couldn't power that much. Is there a simple bolt on upgrade? Anyone know where I could get one?

Cheers

Pete


1303Steve - December 22nd, 2005 at 11:10 AM

Hi

Your current generator is 30 amp. You can get VW alternators in 50 or 55 amp which can be rewound to produce higher outputs. The alternators for VWs only fit VWs so you cant go and buy anything after market. In the old days people used to mount holden/ford style alternators on brackets, if the brackets were well made these worked fine.

Steve


DIY-DUB - December 22nd, 2005 at 11:36 AM

is there a potentail to run multiple alternators also? this could be an option perhaps...


1303Steve - December 22nd, 2005 at 11:55 AM

Hi

You could run any amount of alternators, you would need to have them wired correctly and make sure that the fan belt can get enough contact on the pulley.

When I had a 40hp bug I started but never finished fitting and alternator to a 6 volt generator, I removed the guts, just left armature shaft with no wires and removed the field coils from the generator, then I bolted a Holden alternator bracket to the generator housing, the fan belt would have very little contact on the generator pulley but since it was only driving the fan it should have been ok. I then bought a 1302 so this setup became redundant.

You could also do a similar thing but mount the alternator where the carb is now on a bug and run dual carbs.

With big stereo setup, you could maybe run 2 charging systems, the stock one plus a high output alternator with its own battery for the stereo.

Steve


pete wood - December 24th, 2005 at 02:05 PM

Most of the serious show cars run two alternators don't they? I'd go towards this setup. The pain will be making the mounts right but if you put an idling tensioner between the fan generator and the extra alternater and make the belts run in a big V shape you'll have plenty of belt contact. The other thing worth considering is a dual battery setup. You could put the second battery under the passenger side of the back seat. Like a mirror image of the standard battery placement. One battery could power all your ICE and the other is there to make sure you have enough power to run the car and start all the time.


Vw nutter - December 25th, 2005 at 10:20 PM

bugger doing all that, just get the best possible alternator like a 55amp or more and just use a heavy duty battery, like a oddysey heavy duty mutha F#$ker that will crank even a truck, this will definately be able to run your system for sure, then you could even encorperate several capacitators making your power supply constant to your system (well at least top it up), hope that helps ya
cheers


eraser - December 31st, 2005 at 06:27 AM

Yeah don't forget the more strain the alternators are under the harder they are to turn. U can buy a 71Amp Alternator from Cip1 works out to be a $500 import but yeah brand new with stand and shims and all. Funny thing is new 51Amp Alternator works out to be about 50 bux less.
-M