30 amp vs 60 amp generator

Richard E.
Richard E. Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Most Hudsons come equiped with a 30 amp generator. I understand that Hudson supplied some speciaty models, like police cars, with 60 amp generators. Does anyone know what the Autolite tag number was for these higher output generators? Are there any of these around? I am interested in finding out more about these and their availability.

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Richard E. wrote:
    Most Hudsons come equiped with a 30 amp generator. I understand that Hudson supplied some speciaty models, like police cars, with 60 amp generators. Does anyone know what the Autolite tag number was for these higher output generators? Are there any of these around? I am interested in finding out more about these and their availability.
    Why fool around, install a 60 amp one wire alternator. If you are looking for correct sight, they make a 60 amp alternator inside of a generator housing. It was on this sight not to long ago. Just ask and you will get your answer. Walt.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Thanks Walt. I have a 6v positive ground one wire alternator, but the guy who made it tells me that it is 35 - 40 amps. I did look online and I see that I can get a 60 amp alternator, but I have yet to find a positive ground. I also found out that the "big" Packards used a 60 amp Autolite generator, so perhaps I can find one of those. I am not sure if Packard was positive or negative ground? Auto electrics was never my best subject!!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Richard,



    I dug out my old Motors Manual that list all cars made between 1935-1950. Only one car had a generator listed over 45 amps, and it was a 1949-50 Chrysler Imperial 8. The generator was a 50 amp, 6 volt Auto-lite P/N GGJ-6001A, the regualtor was a positive ground VBA-4101A.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Bingo, thank you Scott, you are a gentleman and a scholar! I will look for one of these, maybe, because it is also Auto-lite, it will fit in a Hudson!!
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    The 48-54 parts book.."Under Severe Usage Parts" lists two 55 Amp generators. For the Jet..Autolite # CGJ EC-12513 And for the Stepdowns (54) without power steering, CGJ-6101D.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Thanks SuperDave. I will have to go out and dig around in my parts stash, I actually have two '54 generators, I will check the numbers. I appreciate the help.



    By the way, I worked in museums my whole career and I had a sign on my desk that read, "Live in the past, it's cheaper!" Words to live by.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    OK, now the obvious but unasked question, Richard ... why do you want all that power?
  • onerare39
    onerare39 Expert Adviser, Member
    The July 2010 issue of Hemmings Motor News has an article on Autolite Generators (page 78).



    It also mentions a company (Gener-Nator) that produces a three-phase alternator within an original generator case, 6 and 12 volt units, positive or negative ground.



    http://www.gener-nator.com/
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    a 60 amp generator will put out the same as a 30 amp generator at an idle - thats nothing- an idle and low RPM is where a generator is lacking anyway, Id get an alternator if it was me.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Sorry guys & girls, I had to take a break to drive up to Ventura to welcome a new grandson to the family, everyone is fine and he is a handsome little guy!



    Park, the answer to your question is that in an attempt to make my '36T a better highway driver, I added halogen headlights, taillights and a cooling fan. So now when I step on the brakes my headlights go out!! Needless to say, I am not brilliant at auto electrics. I have put a bigger load on my system than it produces. The 6v positive ground alternators that are available produce on 35 -40 amps, so I thought that I would look for one of the 55 amp generators that Hudson equiped police cars with. I am open to other suggestions and I appreciate those that have been offered here.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Richard, I'm assuming you've checked all your wiring and connections (a short to ground in the stoplight circuit could cause the problem you've described).



    I've got halogen headlights and tail/stoplights on my '47, and it exhibits no such behavior. I do have a '51 generator and regulator on it, taken from my Hornet when I put the alternator on it. I installed the later ('51 and up) gen and VR partially to get a little more amperage capacity, but mainly to have a full-up voltage and current regulator on it. These later units are identified by their rectangular shape vs. the sqare shape of the earlier ones. Your original VR isn't really a VR, it's a current limiter. The voltage varies with load and with the setting of the third brush in the generator. If the setting on that current limiter section of the VR isn't set to the max amperage rating for that generator, you're going to see symptoms like you're experiencing. From around '38, the unit is indeed a voltage regulator, but the max generator output current is set with the position of the gen's movable third brush. If that's not set correctly, the output current can be less than the rated figure.



    Try the later generator and VR before doing anything more drastic, and I bet it'll eliminate the problem.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Thanks Park, I actually have the generator and VR off of my '50C6 in the '36T. I put a 6v positve ground alternator in the '50 when I installed a 6v York AC and experienced a lack of sufficient power. I also have halogen taillights in the '50. I have considered moving the 6v positive ground alternator to the '36T, but the builder of that unit (in Portland, OR) doesn't think that it will solve my problem as it only develops 35 - 40 AMPs??

    I will check all of my connections, however I put a new wiring harness in the '36T when I restored it.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Based on the experience on my '47, I don't think your problem is insufficient generator (rated) capacity. Possibly the third brush setting in the gen, or low voltage setting on the VR. It would be instructive to measure the voltage at the generator 'A' terminal ... first at 1,000 rpm or so with no load (should be about 7.2v), then as you add the typical load ... fan, headlights, tailights, and stoplights.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Park, I think that I will do that. I actually was reading an article on that very subject in Skinned Knuckles, an auto publication that I get. It ran through various tests to measure the voltage at various points in the system. Unfortunately this is going to have to wait until I return from 10 days in New Jersey, we are going east to visit some family. I will report my findings after I get back.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Richard, you missed a very good Eastern Regional Meet in southern NJ a week earlier (6/3 - 6/5). Darn!
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Park,



    That seems to be the story of my life. I always check to see if there is any Hudson stuff going on when we come back here, which is often and I always seem to be a day late or a dollar short. However, we do get into NYC and do great museums and other fun stuff.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    A six volt Positive ground 60 amp alternator is available at this web site. I have one on my 6 volt Hornet. http://www.qualitypowerauto.com/catalog.php?item=24



    Jim G.
  • Hudson Grandpa
    Hudson Grandpa Expert Adviser
    Jim G:



    I just ordered one from the same people yesterday. Can you tell me how it performs, and how you hooked it up. They say it starts putting out at 300 RPM. Unlike the generator that starts ginnin at 30mph. Did you have any trouble bolting it in. Can you bypass the voltage Reg?



    Dave
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Hudson Grandpa wrote:
    Jim G:



    I just ordered one from the same people yesterday. Can you tell me how it performs, and how you hooked it up. They say it starts putting out at 300 RPM. Unlike the generator that starts ginnin at 30mph. Did you have any trouble bolting it in. Can you bypass the voltage Reg?



    Dave



    Dave -



    It has worked great. I have a 6V Optima battery and it is charged all the time. I mainly drive around town (25 – 35 MPH) and the generator just would not keep the battery charged. The alternator is the way to go in my opinion. I hooked it up just as a one wire application. I took the voltage regulator out and connected the one wire to the front side of the starter relay. You will need a mounting bracket. You can get that from Walt Mordenti. You will also need a different size belt. Get the mounting bracket from Walt and he will tell you how to hook the alternator up.

    Jim G.

    Reedley, CA
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