Re: [Amc-list] Oh generator, thou doth suck.

[Ken Ames <ameskg@xxxxxxxxx>]

This car doesn't have an ammeter then? 

Ken 

Quoting Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>:

> 
> Matt Haas wrote:
> 
> > You may want to check out some of the hot rod parts places. I know I've 
> > seen ads for alternators that are built inside of generator housings. 
> > Also, I think the alternators GM used before the 10si are lower output 
> > but those are also use external regulators.
> 
> Yeh, those hot rod alternators are nice! Pricey though, and the 
> contrarian in me likes the generator. I think the up-high mount for an 
> ordinary GM alt is the way to go for us without PS and A/C.
> 
> 
> So it looks like with the higher idle, and seriously cleaned up 
> contacts, the generator is again adequate to the task. Just adequate. It 
> again points out to me two things: one, how inter-linked and touchy this 
> old tech is; everything is open-loop and if the battery is not charging 
> right? it's the driver that has to figure it out! Modern cars have 
> better parts (alternators!) and better systems (fewer interconnects in 
> critical parts, computer management of idle speed).
> 
> But, two, if you have the gumption to constantly monitor, diagnose, 
> prevent, fix, you can get this old crap pretty damn reliable. My 
> drop-dead measure is, how many times I've been stranded in any way by 
> the car. I don't count scheduled downtime like normal trans rebuild or 
> whatever. THe 63 classic wagon, not once in a decade or more. I had a 
> few failures in the first couple of years with it (ignition wiring 
> problem, LPG filler valve stuck, probably one or two more, that were all 
> due to my changes or old parts not yet repaired. In 1996 an axle half 
> parted; old bad forging, 2000 or so (vacuum) wiper motor failed on a New 
> Mexico road trip (disassembly in parking lot!). This year, ran out of 
> LPG when the tank level sender stuck at 1/4. That's it. Problems yes, 
> but inconveniences like heater valve not opening.
> 
> The American is still in the initial shake-down phase as I look at it. 
> If I continue to have problems with the generator that I can't 
> lifestyle-change around, I'll find a way to stick an alternator in it.
> 
> Until then I look at every single failure with a paranoid eye; could I 
> have prevented this? Can it be beefed up? Modernized? Should I change 
> these on a regular basis?
> 
> The 63 Classic is a "modern" car in pretty much every way that matters. 
> With the 232 and disc brakes and modern tires it's just fine on modern 
> highways at 70 - 75mph with a typical load. The American however really 
> is a much older car, it's not a quality thing, it's just small and 
> "spare" in features. I got rear-ended once by a Nissan pickup in the 
> Classic; wrecked the rear quarter etc but safely drivable and was easily 
> repaired. I don't think the American would have survived that; it's just 
> too light and not much redundancy or extra metal. A coast to coast trip 
> in the American would be a small challenge; it was a no-brainer in the 
> Classic. It's hard to say exactly why the difference...
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