alternator in generator case

[Deleted User]

I'm one of those Guy's that likes to see the real Hudson stuff when I gawk under the hood. To each his own, but the car drops a notch or two in my eyes when I lift a Hudson hood, and see plastic wiring, possibly a 12 volt, 2003 warranty'd battery, and maybe an alternator out of a Ford or Chevy, or whatever.
However, having said that, I also really don't care what voltage is running through the wires, be it 6, or twelve, or any other voltage, because I can't actually see it. This goes for light bulbs, instruments, radio, etc. that give no clue as to what voltage they are feeding from.
I'm all for brighter lights, better starting, invisible electronic ignition, easier parts availability, etc., etc., so here's the thought for an old "stuck-in-the-mud" like me.
Would it be possible to house or wire an alternator into the original generator case? If so, this would hide that component very nicely, and that would lead me to the battery problem next.
Now I realize that in the interest of safety, one probably should not make a twelve volt battery disguised as a six volt, ---- or could you? If you mistakenly try to charge a twelve volt battery with six volts, does it wreck the battery?
What I am getting at here, is I think with a little time, the right size twelve volt battery, and an old style six volt battery case, I could make a twelve volt conversion "disappear", and be able to enjoy the best of both worlds!
Maybe this is way off the wall, and I've finally lost it for good -- but has anyone thought of this probably wacky idea, or even better,

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actually tried it?

silverone

Unknown

There are lots of 12 volt generators out there, and they look enough like the originals to fool most people. The battery is harder -- if you were determined to do it you could use a 6-volt under the hood and hide another one in the trunk and run them in series to get 12 volts but tap 6 volts off to run the heater fan or whatever. Better have good cables though ...

hudsonguy

I know Steve at Uncommon Engineering has built an alternator into a Hudson generator case. You can see an example of it on their website, I believe.

http://www.uncommonengineering.com/

Unknown

There are some small alternators that will fit inside your Hudson generator housing. Foreign or tractor I believe.

Save yourself a lot of trouble and stick with 6 volt. I ran Hudsons 50 years ago and if your engine is is reasonable shape and in tune, she'll start first turn on 6V at 20 below zero.

Unknown

I guess I'd have to say: are you really going to be using this as an everyday car, racking up 20,000 miles a year on it? If it's only to be used for occasional use, then would all the modifications necessary (to switch it to 12 volt) justify the effort? My '37 has run very well off 6 volt for 30 years. One DOES have to make sure the wiring is in top shape with good connections, but once that is done the car runs very well. It takes me on long trips, it runs winter and summer, and -- so long as I have a decent battery -- it starts! The pre-sealed beam headlights even light up the road at night after a fashion (and though your Step-Down's 6 volt sealed beams may not be as blindingly bright as some of today's quartz lights, they're certainly more than adequate).

Maybe if I depended upon my Terraplane for everyday service, then extensively modifying it would make sense, but I already have enough maintenance to do without the headache of switching voltages! With a 12 volt conversion one thing leads to another and another and another.

But hey! It's your car, do as you like. Certainly a number of Hudson guys have converted to 12 volts and they seem happy! Just be aware that this is not going to be an afternoon's work.

[Deleted User]

Yes,

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I think I floated off on a tangent there Guys! I'm really a "keep it stock" kind of Guy anyway, and wholeheartedly agree with the fact that the car runs and performs just fine on its original 6 volt system! As they say ---- if it ain't broke - don't fix it!! In fact, one of the first things I did to my '53 Hornet, was yank out the dual "start on twelve, and run on six" battery that a previous owner had installed! It ran and started fine with this system, but the battery looked like it was a twelve volt, and that solenoid setup it had on top of it looked awfully "Mickey Mouse" in my opinion. Anyway, out it went, and a six volt battery went in to replace it.
What got me off in the "wrong" (for me) direction was explained in another post I made (no AM station in my area) but thanks to a little help from some like-minded individuals on this forum, I can now keep the car just like it was when my Dad used to buy them new!
That's what got me into Hudson's by the way --- when I was just a kid, Hudsons were the family choice for transportation, and I rode many a mile stretched out across the package tray over the back seat of a stepdown, looking out the back window.
Anyway - here I go off on another tangent!
Thanks for all the advice Guys! I find it immensely helpful!

silverone

Unknown

I think this has been said somewhere, but be sure when you get a 6v battery, that it has some really good cold cranking amps (I'd say 600+). This is the secret of good starting -- a really powerful battery. Some of those cheapie $30 batteries will have neither the power, nor the lifetime, of a $60+ battery. I have used DEKA batteries for several years, and am very happy with them. There are probably 6-8 companies making 6v batteries so shop around. Strong battery, correct 6v cable size, good connections (and, well, an engine that's in good condition too!) -- these are the secrets to good starting.

Unknown

well said, wise sage. the current Deka batteries for the stepdowns (group 2) are around 780 CCA's (Cold Cranking Amps) Make sure your battery is the right size for the car and if its in reasonable shape, you should have no starting problems. Many times unscrupolous dealers will sell a smaller Group 1 with less CCA's to make the sale.

Unknown

Here in little ol' N.Z. they have huge stocks of "Deep cycle" 6 volt batteries used in electric forklifts. I have no idea what the cranking amperage is, but they are the same size as the original batteries used in the post-woar Hudsons, which were 15 plate originally. These new batteries are 19 plate, due to thinner seperators and plates made out of modern materials. I have used these in all four of my cars for years now. Never have problems starting, and they can be run right down and recharged with no damage. They usually last about 8 or 9 years. They are not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Enquire at your forklift service agent. Just putting my 2 cents worth in to the pool!
Geoff, N.Z.

[Deleted User]

Ha! I knew I'd find it! http://www.gener-nator.com has a 6v positive ground alternator in an original generator case. Very pricey at $845.00 a pop, but for someone with lots of bucks who wants modern(?) electrics with factory looks there isn't much else out there. They even offer an idiot light circuit at no additional charge.

Joe

Unknown

I lived in northern Minn. {city of Virginia } way back when and had the only Hudson in my circle of freinds, guess who made the rounds starting the Fords and Chevs that had would'nt go ? My 49 Hudson, 6volt that sat outside,no garage even. A good well maintained 6v system is plenty good enough