My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: athawk11 on July 11, 2013, 07:58:53 PM

Title: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: athawk11 on July 11, 2013, 07:58:53 PM: I don't know if this is a poll, or a FAQ, but inquiring minds want to know.

Many of us have Willys Jeeps that have been converted to 12v from the original 6v.ï¿½ Personally, I like generators more than alternators for these old Willys Jeeps.ï¿½ If it has to be 12v, it may as well look more stock.ï¿½

In my OD Willys, I have a Delco-Remy 2C24.ï¿½ I have an Autolite in my current project, but I don't have a model number. In my future project, I have an alternator that I wish to replace with a generator.ï¿½

Question to those of you that have 12v conversions with a generator...

I'm hoping to find out what 12v generators will bolt up in a flat fender Willys.ï¿½ If possible, I would like to know the matching regulator you have also.

If you could provide both the manufacturer, and the model number, that would be very helpful.

Thanks for wading through my ramble.

Tim
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: garage gnome on July 11, 2013, 08:59:22 PM: Later CJ5s and Willys trucks/wagons should have the generators you seek. Sorry, don't know the numbers.
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: gmcjr on July 11, 2013, 09:33:36 PM: This a auto-lite GJP-7402ï¿½ ï¿½35 amp 12v genny that is in my jeep, it was used as a option on CJ-3Bs, 5s, 6s and DJ-3As. Direct bolt in on the L head.

(http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o794/gmcjr1982/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0100_zps052a6f2f.jpg) (http://s1343.photobucket.com/user/gmcjr1982/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0100_zps052a6f2f.jpg.html)

Here's the voltage regulator box from NAPA.ï¿½ If I can correctly recall, the Standard and BWD Automotive part number is 185.

(http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o794/gmcjr1982/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0099_zps9f7e1a54.jpg) (http://s1343.photobucket.com/user/gmcjr1982/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_0099_zps9f7e1a54.jpg.html)

I like it better than the one wire Delco 10si alternator I had, but then again, I'm nostalgic that way. The alternator might have been better if the belt geometry was right and the pulley was the right ratio for the engine
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: Quebec Jeep on July 12, 2013, 09:38:43 AM: My DJ-6 1965 is using the same 12 Volts generator.

I'ts using a Delco Remy regulator. I can find the part number if you want but it would be similar as the NAPA mention in the above post.
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: Quebec Jeep on July 12, 2013, 10:07:52 AM: If you have a lot of money, you can get a 12Volts alternator with an old looking here:

http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=powergen&dds=1
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: athawk11 on July 12, 2013, 01:49:13 PM: Quote
If you have a lot of money, you can get a 12Volts alternator with an old looking here:

http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=powergen&dds=1

Wow...thats almost as much as I spent on the Willys.ï¿½

Thanks to all for the information you're providing.

Because of those high prices, I check Ebay on occasion, but I'm never sure if the generators for sale will match our application.ï¿½ Thus, my questions.

Tim
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: Matto on July 12, 2013, 05:32:30 PM: This is good information to have handy. Maybe this could be added to FAQs under the thread "generator info" started by G.G.
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: stony on July 14, 2013, 01:04:57 AM: Quote
I'm hoping to find out what 12v generators will bolt up in a flat fender Willys.ï¿½ If possible, I would like to know the matching regulator you have also.

Easy, have your 6V converted to 12V.ï¿½ I believe a rebuilder will only have to replace the field coils and there you go.ï¿½ You could even use your current 6V generator (which will generate plenty of voltage),ï¿½ just add a 12V regulator, only problem is it could eventually burn out the field coil because it will be somewhat overloaded.
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: athawk11 on July 14, 2013, 10:05:34 AM: Quote
Easy, have your 6V converted to 12V.ï¿½ I believe a rebuilder will only have to replace the field coils and there you go.ï¿½ You could even use your current 6V generator (which will generate plenty of voltage),ï¿½ just add a 12V regulator, only problem is it could eventually burn out the field coil because it will be somewhat overloaded.

That's a good workable idea...if you have an original 6v generator.ï¿½ I have found that many 3As have been converted to 12v at some point in their history.ï¿½ An original 6V generator is no longer an option.ï¿½ I have a few Willys.ï¿½ All have been converted to 12v by the PO.ï¿½

Again, just trying to build a list of 12v generators that will easily bolt up to a 3A.

Tim
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: stony on July 15, 2013, 11:45:35 AM: AT: sourcing a 6V generator for a vintage car these days is getting harder and harder, however sourcing a generator for a vintage tractor is way easier.ï¿½ A lot of the oldies have not been converted to 12Vï¿½ and tractor salvage yards should be able to fix you up.ï¿½ I think the generator in my 50's International would fit just fine (even has the same width pulley groove).ï¿½ Try some of the vintage tractor forums.ï¿½ One good thing farmers never throw anything away.
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: athawk11 on July 15, 2013, 04:09:59 PM: That's good information Stony. I'll check it out.

Tim
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: PaulS on July 15, 2013, 04:17:58 PM: Note that a different generator may require a different VR. There's (at least) a couple different ways that generators can be wired, and the VRs for each of those are not the same.

One of these days, I'll have to check if the genny that came in the spare parts pile I got with CJ3A is any good (or can be rebuilt)... But I don't recall seeing a VR in there. In the meantime, the 12V conversion that some PO did seems to work just fine.

-Paul
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: Tumbleweed on July 15, 2013, 04:37:23 PM: I had my original generator rebuilt and converted to 12V. They also paired up a voltage regulator. I have been driving my 53 Willys Wagon F head 4X473 now for 3 years - no problems. I will check to see how much I paid just as a reference since I know we all work on a budget!

George
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: gmcjr on July 15, 2013, 06:38:49 PM: Hey Tim, it's been raining all day here, I've been looking through some old service manuals from the 50's to pass the time, it seems Studebaker used the same generators as Willys. I know this wont help much, but its one more tidbit of information.
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: athawk11 on July 16, 2013, 10:49:00 AM: I appreciate all the imput.

Generators are less efficient than alternators. There are dozens of arguments to eliminate them from the equation.

but ...

Generators are cool. They are 'old school'.

12v conversions happen for a good reason. I guess I'm just hoping for the best of both words.

Tim
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: PaulS on July 16, 2013, 10:57:51 AM: Since my CJ3A is 12V, I've never had to worry about boosting it, but that's one of the big advantages of a 12V conversion!

My old tractor is 6V, and if you try to boost it with 12V, you can let the smoke out of the VR. But there's a trick where you can put 12V onto the starter--on the starter side of the solenoid, so it's isolated from the electrical system. But this does require enough juice in the 16V battery to provide sparks. I don't know how I'd get that same trick to work on the CJ3A with it's foot pedal starter, though. (A nice thing about the tractor, is everything is fully exposed!)

-Paul
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: BA on July 17, 2013, 11:04:15 AM: (http://www.jeepsurreygala.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/gen.jpg)
Title: Re: 12v Generator Choices.
Post by: gmcjr on July 17, 2013, 08:21:06 PM: That's a cool chart!