Don't know if anyone is aware of this, but there are 6V single wire alternators out there. Just go on ebay and search for "6v alternator". I installed one on Ted and he loves it. Dependable power and bright lights.



And then you can also search ebay for "6V halogens". I got a set for Ted also. Talk about some bright lights!

Do you know how much current those sealed beam draw?

The alternator is negative ground, right?

Pound for pound an alternator puts out more power than a generator. Alternators are designed to turn at a higher RPM than a generator so they should use a smaller pulley. Those GM SI alternators can be easily modified to operate with one wire and most any voltage just by changing the internal voltage regulator. Theoretically with a totally dead battery a vehicle with a generator can be push started because a generator will begin to charge without any external power. An alternator requires external power to fire up the field and begin to charge so if the battery is really dead there's no push starting.

Quebec Jeep wrote on 03/12/14 at 20:34:52:


These are probably 65 watts on high beam. That would equal 10.8 amps EACH on a 6 volt system.

If you want to keep the wide belt, and use the correct diameter pulley for an alternator, do a search for Ford Model A conversions. A couple companies make wide belt, small diameter, GM alternator pulleys.

Ooooooookay.......?   Why stay with the 6v system if you are going to switch to an alternator?  I can see if you are doing a correct resto and want to stay 6v and I can see going to a 12 v system with or without electronic ignition for the cranking speed, etc..   Why 6v alt?

My poor darling was "converted" to 12 by someone who can barely spell "Bubba" and I was thinking about going back to 6v just to keep it clean.  It will never be a thing of beauty, just a joy to behold for me.

You guys know lots more than I, what's your opinion?

Thanks
Zeke

Surprisingly, everything I've gotten for Ted in 6V is about the same cost as for 12v. Ted was so original that I didn't want to upgrade to 12v. I wanted to see how good I could make the stock system.

Lots of old tractors were 6v past most 12v cars, and in my experience many people run their tractor into the ground!
Heh, ground, an electrical pun.

Anyways I'm considering an alternator swap to simplify the wiring. I already have a painless wiring harness so originality is out the window by now. I was under the impression that alternators charged fairly consistently from idle on up but from what Gunslinger says that isn't true? Or do you make the swap to the correct pulley and spin the alternator faster? 

-Jesse

"One Wire" alternators are modified and require a higher RPM to begin charging. The normal wiring for those GM alternators requires two wires (or three depending on how you look at it).