How much power is available?

[Dallas]

I'm looking at removing the original generator from my bus and instead adding a 12V Leece-Neville alternator from the accessory drive off the blower...

Question... Can I use a 105A to 150A alternator, and will the blower drive handle that? or should I use the original drive off the balance shaft.

BTW, the bus is a PD4103 and the engine is a high block 6-71.

There is nothing wrong with the existing generator, except it is really heavy and I have a plan for that particular acc. drive hole.

If anyone is interested, the original generator on these buses is a dual field model, which as far as I know was available in 140A and 160A.

The generator put out 160A on one field through the carbon pile regulator until the A/C blowers were engaged and then added a second field that also provided 160A.. for a total of 320A @ 1200 rpm.

I learned not to work on the system while it was running. Geez, you can hear and FEEL that second field kick in!

[TomC]

Blower drive is common place to drive the alternator.  On my 8V-71 the 50DN 300 amp is gear driven off the blower.  On my old 8V-92TA truck, the pulley was off the blower drive that spins roughly 2:1-so you can run with 1:1 pulleys for the alternator if you want-that's what my truck had.  Good Luck, TomC

[belfert]

Dallas, I thought you bought an MC-8 or MC-9 to replace your GMC?  Did that fall through?

[Dallas]

Yes, we have an MC9, (1983, 5 speed stick), unfortunately it will be about a year before it's ready to roll our on it's own.

At this point it's a shell and the engine is going to either be a repower or get a complete inframe major, along with a new clutch and anything else that looks like it needs changing.

In the mean time, while we are building up cash to pay for this new toy, we are still in our vintage PD4103.

I have the chance to obtain a VS2 and a 6V71T that would make it a better hill climber and also make it possible for Cat to drive it comfortably. While I have the original 12V generator installed in the present 6-71, I have been thinking about upgrading to a single wire alternator which could be moved over to the 6V when it goes in.

Lot's of things to consider, especially, when I finally get ready to sell this coach, I want it to be as trouble free for the new owner as possible. After all, there aren't too many that still like to mess with the old technology like I do.

Dallas

[chargePlus]

I'm looking at removing the original generator from my bus and instead adding a 12V Leece-Neville alternator from the accessory drive off the blower...

If anyone is interested, the original generator on these buses is a dual field model, which as far as I know was available in 140A and 160A.

The generator put out 160A on one field through the carbon pile regulator until the A/C blowers were engaged and then added a second field that also provided 160A.. for a total of 320A @ 1200 rpm.

So how heavy is heavy? Somewhere along the way the generator on our 4103 was replaced with a belt-driven one. Looking at the engine through the access panel in the rear of the bus it is on the left-hand side. Is that where your generator would go? Would it use the engine oil for cooling?

I'm assuming that the second field can be triggered by a switch/relay and could be used any way you see fit, right? I'm trying to figure out if I want to make you an offer for it.

- John

[Dallas]

I'm looking at removing the original generator from my bus and instead adding a 12V Leece-Neville alternator from the accessory drive off the blower...

If anyone is interested, the original generator on these buses is a dual field model, which as far as I know was available in 140A and 160A.

The generator put out 160A on one field through the carbon pile regulator until the A/C blowers were engaged and then added a second field that also provided 160A.. for a total of 320A @ 1200 rpm.

So how heavy is heavy? Somewhere along the way the generator on our 4103 was replaced with a belt-driven one. Looking at the engine through the access panel in the rear of the bus it is on the left-hand side. Is that where your generator would go? Would it use the engine oil for cooling?

I'm assuming that the second field can be triggered by a switch/relay and could be used any way you see fit, right? I'm trying to figure out if I want to make you an offer for it.

- John

John,

Think like about as heavy as a cylindrical piece of solid cast iron 20" long and 12" across.

If you want it, I'm sure we can find someone going from here to NC to haul it. I may even have an extra set of the markers you were looking for too.

Dallas

[chargePlus]

I'm looking at removing the original generator from my bus and instead adding a 12V Leece-Neville alternator from the accessory drive off the blower...

If anyone is interested, the original generator on these buses is a dual field model, which as far as I know was available in 140A and 160A.

The generator put out 160A on one field through the carbon pile regulator until the A/C blowers were engaged and then added a second field that also provided 160A.. for a total of 320A @ 1200 rpm.

So how heavy is heavy? Somewhere along the way the generator on our 4103 was replaced with a belt-driven one. Looking at the engine through the access panel in the rear of the bus it is on the left-hand side. Is that where your generator would go? Would it use the engine oil for cooling?

I'm assuming that the second field can be triggered by a switch/relay and could be used any way you see fit, right? I'm trying to figure out if I want to make you an offer for it.

- John

John,

Think like about as heavy as a cylindrical piece of solid cast iron 20" long and 12" across.

If you want it, I'm sure we can find someone going from here to NC to haul it. I may even have an extra set of the markers you were looking for too.

Dallas

Dallas,

I'll pass on the generator, but tell me about the marker lights. PM me since it's off this topic.

Thanks.

- John