Upgrade to a larger alternator

[mbsieg]

Well, I was having trouble finding a replacement Motorola alt for my Raidtrac snow cat, so I decided to replace it with an AC-Delco 1-wire alt it produces 120amps. It also starts producing 60amps at 850rpm no more lights dimming when it idles down. It will take all 35hp to turn the alt though. Here are some pics of the process it is not completed yet I will post more when it is done.

 

[Melensdad]

It looks like a perfect fit.

Are there 2 mounting lugs on the the bottom side? I can see one on the lower left (bolted in place), and one on the upper right (with no bolt) but can't see the bottom right side. Or is there somthing else securing it in place in addition to the one bolt?

 

[mbsieg]

Still need to work on that part. Fan cooled engines are sometimes a pain!!!

 

[Junkman]

This is what you need if you want a lot of amps!!! This baby will even give you 110 volts!!!!!!

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

This is what you need if you want a lot of amps!!! This baby will even give you 110 volts!!!!!!

How about some specs. The picture is nice - specs are better!

 

[Junkman]

It is mounted on my 1978 Cadillac ambulance, and I don't have any specs for it. I do know that they cost over $1000 new. They weigh about 35 pounds if that helps. I can get you the physical dimensions if you like, and can check with a friend to see if he has any used ones for sale. Junk

 

[Lyndon]

Re: Additional HP Required:

12 Volts X 120 Amps = 1440 Watts. 1440 / 746 (1 HP = 746 Watts) >2 HP. With and additional 30% for efficiency of conversion, the big alternator shouldn't use much more than 3 or 4 Horse Power.

 

[Lyndon]

The above is the calculations for the 12 Volt unit, not the 110 volt one. Those were usually less than 2 KW units but might require 5 or 6 HP to drive it. A larger version was also available on fire engines that could put out 4 or 5 KW.

 

[mbsieg]

Cool, I think you guys answered my question in a round about way THANKS. So it does not matter the size of alt just matters amount of amp draw you are using!!!

 

[mbsieg]

Got the alt conversion done. Now when you turn on all lights, fan, and wiper. it does not drop below 14 volts at an idle. It is drawing 38 amps. 82 amps left to use!!! Now the carb is ripped apart try to jet it better for 8000+ft elevation.