getting more power out of a 6 volt generator??

rikgerards · Post by **rikgerards** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:24 pm

Is it possible to boost up the original 6v generator so that it gives more power in charging the battery?

For the LPG installation i use a 6 to 12 volt convertor. This is working fine but if i turn the headlights on the generator delivers not enough power to keep the battery charged.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Rik

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:51 pm

Rik, you can not really do what you're asking, to get more "power" to quicken battery charging you will need to increase the voltage, this will lead to other problems and will certainly boil your battery dry.

The only way to increase current output without increasing voltage is to re wind the dynamo. Expensive !

Why not try an alternator ? This can be easily fitted and easily reversed back to standard if you need to.

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:56 pm

Check the voltage when you 1st start the engine when cold. It should go up to a max of 7.7 volts. If it not anywhere near there, there is a problem with the charging system. The voltage regulator can be adjusted for a higher voltage, but as previously stated, you should not set it above 7.7 volts cold.

Most people do not realize that the "points" that control the voltage in the regulator are opening and closing almost as fast as the dist points at an idle! That combined with the commutator switching full current under load from one segment to another is a reliability issue and is thee major reason auto manufacturers went to alternators.

BTW: they also make 6 volt alternators.

Corne Lauwerijssen · Post by **Corne Lauwerijssen** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:00 pm

I also have a LPG installation, first it was powered by an external 12volt battery, uncharged. (Truck was original 6volts.) Thus after a couple of hours it was empty and I was forced to run on petrol

Later I bought a second hand 12v alternator, I paid 5euro and 20 euro for the rebuild and a new matching pouly. Made a new generatorbracket and installed in place. I left the regulator in place but took out the internals and
connected the wires from there, so it has an original look there.
I know its not original, but the LPG installation is also not original. And
it cant be hidden.

I changed all lights to 12volts and it really makes a difference, much more
visibility. And its starts faster and I have never had problems with the bendix. Only thing that is not connected is the fuelgauge, but
thats my lack, because I still need to buy a 12 to 6v resistor.
signallights also work beter and I can use a converter for 220volts to
charge all kind of things. Iam very happy with the conversion.

Greets,

Corné

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:44 pm

Two points:

All you needed to do was to move the the "GEN" wire to the "BAT" terminal on the regulator and leave the "FIELD" wire disconnected.

JC Whitney sells a regulator, not a resistor for the gauge. It puts out a constant 6 v for the gauge unlike a resistor.

rikgerards · Post by **rikgerards** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:51 pm

Converting to 12 volts is indeed a solution. It has some benefids like Corné said. Maybe this is the next step. For now i run on LPG by daylight and on petrol when i need the headlights.

It is indeed difficult to hide the LPG installation. I have put two tanks in between the chasis but the vaporator is verry present under the hood.

Rik

Corne Lauwerijssen · Post by **Corne Lauwerijssen** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:09 am

Hi Rik

A couple of weeks ago I was in Ciney at the military swap market.
Someone from Tsjech was selling regulators for the MB/GPW, it was
a new design. With a 6volts generator it can put out 6 or 12volts, by just
switching over something on the regulator.

I bought one for the jeep and it works fine, but have only tested it on 6 volts BTW. And havent driven the jeep, so at this time I dont know for sure it really works good. But I give it a try. Iam not saying you should buy, but there is something on the market that delivers 12v current with a 6volts generator.

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 8:07 am

BEWARE:::::::::::::::

A 6v generator MAY be able to produce 12v. You can test this easily. BUT you will be asking it to be producing much more current then it was designed for and therefor it can easily "throw solder". In other words, the Armature windings may unsolder themselves from the commutator!

rikgerards · Post by **rikgerards** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:05 pm

Intresting that there is a regulator that can produce 6v and 12v. As far as i know it has something to do with one of the three coils. One of them regulates the voltage. Mybe as you can manipulate this one you get 12 volts?

I'am now looking for a 12 volt generator that fits, then it is easy to convert to 12 volts.

Rik

jakub · Post by **jakub** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:10 am

Rik, if I may add some comment, do you really need change to 12V ??
why not keep original, I know and agree that 6 V sucks, it is not easy to start, especially in winter, it requires thicker cables and adds additional worries but it is the way it was done,

myself I have LPG and keep 6V, I use pretty starightforward setup, two small, motorbike 6v batteries stashed under passanger seat, first connected parallel with the system and second in line with first, this way one is being charged while other is discharging, LPG current is 0,3 A when useing petrol and only 0,1A when on LPG, so it is almost nothing, every other trip I change connection (fast connectors - so no time wasted here),

I have been useing 6/12 converter for a while but didn't like it,

All in all I have done 3000+ miles in three years with this set up, no problem whatsoever.

I know that converting to 12V gives away problem once and forever. However I'dont know how it works on your end but over here people are getting more and more concern about originality, so keepeing 6V and of course moaning about it on every occasion gives you competeive edge on numerous meteeings (sarcasm intentional).

rikgerards · Post by **rikgerards** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 1:58 pm

keeping the truck original or not? That is indeed the big question, how far would you go. And comes from one thing not the other?

About the 6volt installation i have never had problems with starting hot or cold weather (truck stands always outside). The problems began with installing the 6 to 12 volt converter. With one reason i don't know, that converter takes a lot of the charging capacity of the generator. I wonder if the lpg installation uses so much or if there is a foult some were.

I agree that the 6 volt is a charm of the truck. But for safty (better head light and brigther signal lights) is 12 volts a big plus. And if i convert i would like to make it in such way that it isn't vissible (looking for a look a like 12 volt generator).

After all i am stil doubtful about what to do...

Rik

jakub · Post by **jakub** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:48 pm

Rik, as I have mentioned above the LPG power consumption, at least in my truck, is next to nothing (0,03-0,3 A)

I have also used 6/12 V converter but it seems that even with neglible output the power consumption was relatively high, I guess it may be because of converter design - they are work on impulse/capacitor principle, perhaps this modern electronic doesn't fit well with old systems.

Anyhow, if you prefer stick to originality I can mail you pictures and drawings of my setup, as I've mentioned it got me through 3 years and 3000 miles without any problems whatsoever, with added benefit of having original 6v and additional 12V for phone charger, sat-nav and other toys.

Finally, coming to winter start, have you tried to start engine with -25C ??
I did, with fully charged battery and failed, no wonder there were complains about GMC starting in Korea.
Also Russians after evaluating GMC asked for Studebaker instead as major lend lease vehicle.

My father worked with GMC in early fifties, he actually didn't witnes that but was told by expirienced drivers that in heavy frost they kept in the depot one GMC runing for all night so they could use it for push start in the morning.

Corne Lauwerijssen · Post by **Corne Lauwerijssen** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:13 am

I dont see the difference? A modern alternator under the hood, where the vaporizer and its waterhoses already are mounted. I only have had positive comments, without this conversion I would be a thieve of my own wallet is what most people say. 12volts batteries are cheap, you have to change 3 batteries when there getting bad. With the 6volts battery being very expensive. And if you really want to stick to orginality, you should not convert it to LPG

My thoughts

Greetings,

Corné

jakub · Post by **jakub** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:21 pm

On many gatherings, either clubs or some outside events, when staying overnight it is usually gets to the point when we start discuss what I call advantages of Christmas over Easter and other way round. What I mean is this kind of discussion when on every argument there is opposite argument and it goes forever. Of course those discussion are only too nice when accompanied with constant supply of beer.

So to continue even though we are having quit beer in front of the computer.

The 6V motorbike battery cost next to nothing, even for two.

The standard 6V, not the vintage but ordinary type cost actually less than 12V. Batteries identical to used in GMC (340x175x245 mm) is standard issue for agriculture tractors, they use two in pairs to give higher current output. So cost argument is out.

Also I have two old motorbikes which are also 6V so I have to keep three different boxes with lightbulbs (6V, 12V, 24V) anyway.

LPG, Wow!!!! that is really subject to discuss, then again while not tolerated in Willys, barely acceptable in Dodge, it is common understanding that with 5-6 MPG it is allowable in bigger vehicles (ZIL, Ural, BRDM, BTR, Studebaker, GMC and similar). At least in our village.

Also LPG it is something which, at least in my case, can be easily removed.

Finally, presented below reasoning is absolutely overkill. I have learned it from my younger daughter, it goes more or less this way:

- eat lettuce
- I don’t want to
- is lettuce nice
- yes it is
- does it have many vitamins
- yes it does
- is it healthy and tasty
- yes it is
- so why are you not eating it
- because I don't like it

Same with 12v conversion,
it does give more power, it allows to use lights all day long, it is better for staring, there are dozens of pros but only one against, I don’t like it.

So keeping discussion going and beer flowing, have a nice evening.

Jakub