Board Logo

Type 3 Alternator
MickH - September 8th, 2009 at 07:35 PM

First off this is mackaymanx not Mick.

I am just using his account at the moment as I haven't got my password with me.

This is alternator conversion for a type 3 that I have been playing with. It uses a NipponDenso alt (this one came from a Diahatsu 3 Cyl Diesel).


MickH - September 8th, 2009 at 07:44 PM

I think I have sorted out the mechanical side but this setup is only pushing out about 9 volts.

mackaymanx


GTMac - September 8th, 2009 at 10:31 PM

Its because it knows its a 3 cylinder alternator, its missing that extra cylinder to give it 12 volts! :dork:

Whats the reason behind toying with something different?


subimanx - September 8th, 2009 at 10:46 PM

It's a good way of installing an altenator on a pancake engine and keeping the "stock" look....and it's better than a generator!!!!! And it just bolts straight on with no mods required except to get rid of the old regulator...:tu:


68AutoBug - September 9th, 2009 at 12:24 AM


First time I've ever heard of anyone using an alternator on a flat VW engine...

it looks good...

LEE


electricmonk - September 9th, 2009 at 06:31 AM

Nice to see someone trying over here. I keep procrastinating to myself that I will go to the wreckers and have a look for something to fit at least once a month. From what I have heard the DDB kit uses a forklift alternator and that a few people are using RX7 ones in thier cars in the states. Would be nice to find a cheaper more commonly available unit in Au. Look forward to hearing more.


vw54 - September 9th, 2009 at 07:11 AM

interesting conversion


type3lover - September 9th, 2009 at 11:42 AM

That's a great idea mackaymanx!!!
I also used a nippondenso alt (from a 90's charade) but I had to clearance the fan housing and massage it a little to fit.
I transferred the VW pulley to it and so far so good.

Your idea is much better I wish I'd thought of it!

Was it you that was going to put edis on your type 3? I've just done it...happy to share ideas :-)


Cylon - September 9th, 2009 at 07:24 PM

Weird fact ; Empi guages were made by Nippon Denso.


MickH - September 9th, 2009 at 08:44 PM

I've given the housing a bit of a clean up and a lick of primer. The Unipont (NipponDenso copy)alt will be a donor to get this working. The NipponDenso alt was $5 at the dump shop so it was a gamble but it proved the mechanical side of the conversion.

mackaymanx


MickH - September 9th, 2009 at 08:47 PM

mackaymanx


Andy - September 9th, 2009 at 09:46 PM

Who's hot??

How are you going to cool it?
I'm only guessing from the pics the alternator draws cooling air in over the pulley (were there vents there?), and out over the regulator. Are they still open?

The type 3 generator draws some cooling air from the fan housing that exits out over the brushes, (similar idea to a beetle one) to keep cool.


MickH - September 9th, 2009 at 10:12 PM

The type 3 gen does not draw air, it is force fed it from the main engine cooling fan through the hole in the housing(there is no fan in a type3 or type1 gen to draw air). So I don't see there being a cooling problem as the alt still uses the original housing with the cooling hole in it.

mackaymanx


electricmonk - September 10th, 2009 at 10:19 PM

I am very interested in this conversion, especially how much you had to fabricate. Is the main shaft from the jap alternator long enough? Is the collar you made a cut from the other side of the jap case? Inquiring minds want to know lol


mackaymanx - September 18th, 2009 at 10:33 AM

Ok I,ve got my first one going properly now.

13.8 volts / 15 amps @ 1500 rpm

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m131/mackaymanx/Type%203%20Alt/P1040062Medium.jpg

Here it is next to a type 1 gen converted to type 3 alt.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m131/mackaymanx/Type%203%20Alt/P1040099Medium.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m131/mackaymanx/Type%203%20Alt/P1040100Medium.jpg


mackaymanx - September 18th, 2009 at 10:51 AM

Here it is sitting on the motor. The output terminal sits down and towards the LH side of the car.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m131/mackaymanx/Type%203%20Alt/P1040063Medium.jpg

Possible clearance issues with the ignition lead.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m131/mackaymanx/Type%203%20Alt/P1040065Medium.jpg

Thus is how I have clearanced the housing on the type 1(3) alt to avoid this.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m131/mackaymanx/Type%203%20Alt/P1040098Medium.jpg


mackaymanx - September 18th, 2009 at 10:57 AM

Here is the alt with the terminal to the top. I decided not to go this way as the terminal sits up quite high over the profile of the motor and could lead to shorting issues.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m131/mackaymanx/Type%203%20Alt/P1040066Medium.jpg


vwsteve - September 18th, 2009 at 11:14 AM

good work mate, 10 points for ideas there:tu:


matberry - September 18th, 2009 at 12:22 PM

Well done mate.

Sometimes you dont realise how long it takes to do what you may have thought was an easy mod or fabrication job. ...Meaning hell it can take a lot of time to do these type of mods.


mackaymanx - October 1st, 2009 at 02:55 PM

Ok I have 3 of these to test if anybody is interested.
I currently do not have a motor in my notch so I am looking for someone to test them for me.
I will pay for postage down, you get a Alternator for three months then you pay for postage back.

You will need
-original type 3 generator pulley, woodruff key and generator seal
-ability to convert electrical system from generator to alternator use.

I cannot warranty or guarantee these as they are for test.



You get one of these and what you need to supply yourself.


electricmonk - October 1st, 2009 at 09:27 PM

LOL Bastard! I would love to test one but my cars still off the road and probably will be for a while now. I take it your going to be selling these after testing? Wish I would have gotten that notch on ebay but a little too much rust for a daily driver. I look forward to hearing more on how these go. Good luck mate


MickH - October 2nd, 2009 at 10:24 AM

So....what happened to the motor out of your notch....:smilegrin:


mackaymanx - October 2nd, 2009 at 02:48 PM

Ha Ha very funny Mick, you know I pulled the motor to put it in my buggy. Only to help you pick up going 1600DP a week and a half later and have you offer it to me!!:crazy:


mackaymanx - October 2nd, 2009 at 02:55 PM

Yes I will be trying to flog these off later down the track but first I need some guinea pigs to try them out.


telf - October 4th, 2009 at 03:12 PM

Hi mate pm me your ph no. Ill give it a go ive been trying to sus out an Alternator for my square for a while now, this looks like a good adaption
Thanks Telf


vwombat - October 10th, 2009 at 08:11 AM

So, you'd need another - maybe kombi - regulator? Did you also test at higher rpm?

My genny has just shat itself (the car's been on the road a week now after several years of basking in dust), and I'd be willing to try,
but I'd also want to buy. How much are you asking if it all goes well?

Guinea Pig #2.


mackaymanx - October 10th, 2009 at 09:18 AM

These have internal regulators. I will probably be in Brisbane next week to pick up a car so I will bring them down. No I didn't test at high rpm, I only had the fixed set up which gave me 2200 rpm. I just want to cover costs on these so let me work it out.


vwombat - October 11th, 2009 at 07:18 AM

Duh - I thought about the internal regulator just after I posted... NOTE TO SELF _ don't post too early in the morning or your inherent stupidity might kick in.

So, the output terminal is providing DC, as it's post an internal diode plate as well?

So what day do you think you'll be in Brisbane for your pickup? The Type 3's my new daily driver and no genny makes my life a bit complex in terms of getting to work. I suppose I can just take off the belt and run from the battery, but I might need to recharge the thing like a madman..?


electricmonk - October 13th, 2009 at 05:13 PM

Just wondering If you still needed guinea pigs? I went out an got a car specifically to do this for you, aren't I nice :lol:. But really picking up a new square tomorrow, heads loose and gen is shot. I have a spare engine if I need it but no generator. I realise that I am in SA so postage may be a dampener. I would also be pushing the system as I like my music loud, my old cars genny did not like that at all so may not be the candidate your after


mackaymanx - October 13th, 2009 at 05:33 PM

If you want to try one I'll get it to you. That's will be all of them gone.