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can I use an automotive alternator?

tobinh

tobinh

Cruisin' Guzzisti
GT Famiglia
Joined
Oct 15, 2016
Messages
428
Location
Coquitlam, BC
I've read that some folks used to swap their alternators to automotive units:

thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_alternator_conversion.html

I'm in the process of tidying up / repairing my Nuovo Falcone's charging system, and wondering if I couldn't do the same? I was holding a little Denso 40a alternator intended for a Volkswagen race car recently and was shocked at its weight - more than 15 pounds less than the unit charging my little NF.

If I understand correctly, an automotive alternator will not require a rectifier or regulator, since these are integrated into the unit? And I could use a 'single wire' alternator to simplify my wiring harness further?

Thanks in advance!
 
Hi Tobin, can't think of why that wouldn't work. Your NF has a 12v system, correct?
 
GTM® said:
Hi Tobin, can't think of why that wouldn't work. Your NF has a 12v system, correct?
Click to expand...
yup it's 12V. by the way, thanks for the lead on guzzino - my new carburetor is arriving today and paulo is lovely to deal with :)
 
Very good, and Paul and his lovely wife are long time friends.
 
Chances are you'll need 2 wires . One to power it up with ignition on (the small fitting), and the other to the
battery +ve (large) terminal . I've used 2 different auto alternators on Guzzis I've owned . I'd suggest
not going larger on the drive pulley , (they don't need it ) and not too sure just how fast
one should spin an auto alternator . Peter
 
Moto-Uno said:
Chances are you'll need 2 wires . One to power it up with ignition on (the small fitting), and the other to the
battery +ve (large) terminal . I've used 2 different auto alternators on Guzzis I've owned . I'd suggest
not going larger on the drive pulley , (they don't need it ) and not too sure just how fast
one should spin an auto alternator . Peter
Click to expand...
I'm reading about 'one wire' or 'self exciting' alternators, that don't require the second wire.
 
john zibell said:
One wire is the way to go. Have you worked out a voltage regulator? Or will the alternator you select have a built in regulator? BTW, if anyone has a 6 volt system, 6 volt alternators are also available.
Click to expand...
That's one of the things that interests me, besides the fact that original parts are hard to find - the regulator is built in to these little Denso one wire units, further simplifying the wiring loom.

the original setup is very robust, originally intended to run things like sirens and flashing lights and radios in military, police and fire applications. but, someone has 'upgraded' this bike to an aftermarket electric start and the generator is very weak - a common problem with these kits I've read.

it's kind of neat to use, it just runs the generator as a motor, and you pull the decompression lever to get it turning over. once the big flywheel is up to speed you release the decompression lever and the flywheel has enough mass to get it chugging away. of course the 'starter' is completely silent - it's just turning over the motor via the same belt that runs it. it's a neat party trick!

...and if you don't pull the decompression lever (due to curiosity or just foolishness) the increased draw from attempting to turn the motor under compression overloads and welds the 20a relay together and you find yourself in the interesting situation of having a bike that is turning over and can't be stopped. well, almost can't be stopped. it will stop once the loom finishes burning. oh yea, it lights on fire in this particular situation. why is there no fuse in this circuit? well, I suppose whoever put this kit together expected the operator to simply *not* forget to pull the important lever. they didn't plan on an idiot of my caliber perhaps.

this is all easy enough to sort, but kickstarting the bike is absurdly easy - and very statisfying! - and a simpler wiring loom is better to my mind.
 
Moto-Uno said:
Heck , Yamaha even used them back in the 70s' on some of their small road ( dirt ) bikes ! Peter
Click to expand...
Yes, they worked great—we had a 125 enduro on the farm when I was growing up. It had an appropriate starter relay to handle the starting current and a voltage regulator for the charging circuit.
 
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