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Changing to an alternator
beachbuggy61 - January 9th, 2011 at 09:07 PM

Hi All,

I'm still running a generator (two wires off the top to a voltage regulator under the back seat) and a lot of the pics of motors I see on here and all I seem to see on the web have alternators, so maybe it's time I caught up. :)

Is this a difficult conversion? I'm pretty good with most things mechanical.autoelectrical, but is this something that a good auto electrician should do or is it something I could convert myself?

Thoughts?

Cheers, Marc.

68AutoBug - January 9th, 2011 at 09:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by beachbuggy61
Hi All,

I'm still running a generator (two wires off the top to a voltage regulator under the back seat) and a lot of the pics of motors I see on here and all I seem to see on the web have alternators, so maybe it's time I caught up. :)

Is this a difficult conversion? I'm pretty good with most things mechanical.autoelectrical, but is this something that a good auto electrician should do or is it something I could convert myself?

Thoughts?

Cheers, Marc.


You can do it yourself Marc

You don't need the voltage regulator any longer...
get a two wire alternator with the built in regulator...

the small wire goes to the push on terminal to activate the Generator/alternator lamp in the dash..
the large wire goes from the alternator to the battery...

then to the dash....
the two large wires on the voltage regulator are bolted together or soldered together and insulated...

alternators use a different vee belt... 11.3mm x 912mm



LEE

kieranweston - January 10th, 2011 at 09:03 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by beachbuggy61
Hi All,

I'm still running a generator (two wires off the top to a voltage regulator under the back seat) and a lot of the pics of motors I see on here and all I seem to see on the web have alternators, so maybe it's time I caught up. :)

Is this a difficult conversion? I'm pretty good with most things mechanical.autoelectrical, but is this something that a good auto electrician should do or is it something I could convert myself?

Thoughts?

Cheers, Marc.


Hi mate I did it just recently on my 1963 bug, pretty easy job, get an alternator conversion kit which will have what you need in it. Things to consider that I didnt realise would be you may need a new fuel pump (and possibly a new fuel pump push rod, different size for generator and alternator) you might want to get a new alternator stand, though an usually get away with the old generator stand, thats about it really, just talk to your local parts shop. Also with the alternator dont go any higher than a 55watt otherwise you might burn out your wiring loom, VW wiring is pretty durable but you would need further upgrading if you went for a 90watt output. Any questions PM me.

Joel - January 10th, 2011 at 09:12 AM

A good Alternator kit will come with the stand.
No alternator fits a gen stand, they are a different shape, works the other way though.

https://content.mamotorworks.com/img300/fr4966.jpg

Standard wiring is adequate if you wanna upgrade though, 75amp kits brings them inline with what more modern cars have to handle bigger stereos, higher wattage lights etc

Smiley - January 10th, 2011 at 09:57 AM

Depending on what carby you are running you might have to grind a little out of the alternator housing to clear the linkage. I had to do this on my Baja when I upgraded from a PICT 28 to a PICT 31 carby.

Just another thing to look at.


Smiley :cool:

beachbuggy61 - January 10th, 2011 at 11:54 AM

Thanks Keiran. Running a Holley blue pump with rising rate regulator currently so the pump won't be an issue.

Thanks Joel, 75amp would be what I wanted so that when I hit the dipper switch the high beam and spotlights are actually bright!! No need to worry about the stereo, I have the sweet sound of a boxer engine to keep me company! :)

Carbies won't be an issue either Smiley but I will keep the linkage in mind. Have 2 Kadrons and the linkage goes under the genny pretty close so thanks for that.

Now down to Boris to get a conversion kit I guess!

Thanks for all the input.

Marc.

Smiley - January 10th, 2011 at 01:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by beachbuggy61
Thanks Keiran. Running a Holley blue pump with rising rate regulator currently so the pump won't be an issue.

Thanks Joel, 75amp would be what I wanted so that when I hit the dipper switch the high beam and spotlights are actually bright!! No need to worry about the stereo, I have the sweet sound of a boxer engine to keep me company! :)

Carbies won't be an issue either Smiley but I will keep the linkage in mind. Have 2 Kadrons and the linkage goes under the genny pretty close so thanks for that.

Now down to Boris to get a conversion kit I guess!

Thanks for all the input.

Marc.


You shouldn't have any clearance issues with twin cabs.
It's only a problem for those of us slumming it with a single :lol::lol:


Smiley :cool: