Re: What alternator for a 6V to 12V conversion FFPW


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Posted by a p b in ny on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 5:16PM :

In Reply to: What alternator for a 6V to 12V conversion FFPW posted by Northern Calif Dave on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 4:45PM :

You will not need a high output alternator if your only loads are snowplow, lights, and heater.

Every vehicle has lights and a heater. A standard alternator is sufficient for those vehicles. Snowplows (the electric-over-hydraulic types) use electricity only when the control is activated to lift or turn the blade. They use a bunch of electricity, but in small spurts. A standard alternator is more than capable of handling this instantaneous demand, and recharging the battery between operations. If you are planning on plowing snow commercially, with lots of maneuvers, then a high-output alternator is a good idea.

The favorite non-standard replacement alternators (for instance, replacing a 6-volt generator in a an older truck or tractor with a 12-volt alternator) is the Delco (GM) so-called one-wire unit, that comes in several ampacities, and has the advantage of having an internal regulator. The installation is simple, with one large wire going to the battery, and, optionally, a small wire for excitation, and one for the idiot light. Instead of an ammeter, you would use a voltmeter.

The size of the battery would be more important in the plowing scenario. A larger one will have more reserve and be able to withstand the heavy requirements of the plow motor.

One other method is to use two batteries. There are several different two-battery schemes. You can use a battery isolator, or an "A-B switch" or just leave one battery in reserve so that you can always get home.

Like anything else, lots of options.

If you were to Google "one wire alternator" you would get 22,400 hits.



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