Bill Stoneberg Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 I am seriously thinking about switching to a Powergen alternator in my Electra. I can get a Powergen that will keep my push to start and my generator light working. My 2 Generators that I have are both toast according to the test I ran. Checking prices it will cost about the same for a Powergen as to get the Generator fixed. Plus I will have more amperage to power my trunk full of subwoofers (LOL). Has anyone used a Powergen and how did you like it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1956322 Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 I have one in my 56 special..I literally drive it Dailey.. Been on for over a year cause I got sick and tired of awful modern voltage regulators.. Haven't had a single problem since..I did end up going one belt size smaller then factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 You seem to already be on top of it. The powergen with the lamp post is grounded to the case except when charging so it's perfect for the starter relay. I've wanted one for a while now but haven't been able to justify the $500 purchase. What generator rebuild costs that much? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 8, 2018 Author Share Posted July 8, 2018 When you have to have the Armature rewind because it is grounded, the cost goes up in a hurry. Talking to the former owner, the car has gremlens for a while and I just want to drive it and not bring it home on a flatbed or trailer. BTw, if you talk to the folks at Powergen, they will build you a version that has the push to start and a gen light provision. Vey helpful folks. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 What ultimate output amps are you seeking with the Powergen item? Just curious. NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 I just need 45 to match the generator but the power gen puts out more. 90 amps is the max I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1956322 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 I'll have to check my paper work but I believe it claimed 66 at "idle" and 90 at full output Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 Wow, this is very interesting! Good to know when my generator goes south. I will certainly purchase one of these as I can keep the pedal start. Bill, if you do make the purchase please share the installation process that keeps the pedal start intact. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 11, 2018 Author Share Posted July 11, 2018 Chris, I did make the purchase and it will be here Friday. I will post how it goes on this thread. I have a spare 35 amp generator if you want it. Just pay for shipping. No idea if it is any good or not. It turns though. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 3 minutes ago, Bill Stoneberg said: Chris, I did make the purchase and it will be here Friday. I will post how it goes on this thread. I have a spare 35 amp generator if you want it. Just pay for shipping. No idea if it is any good or not. It turns though. Oh great! Yes please on the installation process and how the regulator is handled, etc. Thank you for the offer on the generator. I'm good with what I have(knocking on wood. Plus, both Buicks have original regulators that keep on working!) When the time comes I will be switching to this type of unit thus my interest in installation and performance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 11, 2018 Author Share Posted July 11, 2018 (edited) Here is what I got in the mail. BTW The folks at Powergen will do what they need to do to make you happy. I had them put a double pull for AC plus the gen light terminal on. They include the relay shown below. You disconnect the regulator. Edited July 11, 2018 by Bill Stoneberg (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 The voltage regulator is internal? Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 (edited) Not sure what the purpose of the relay is other than it opens the circuit when the alternator starts charging.. which means you don't need the extra relay at all since that's how the generator worked. Its basically just another redundant relay to open the starter circuit. Unless the alternator terminal is not internally grounded when off but i can't see that being the case. Edited July 12, 2018 by Beemon (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 If it is anything like the idiot light terminal on a typical GM 10si etc., it doesn't ground or open the terminal. It just brings the terminal up to charging voltage when turning. Since the voltage is the same on both sides of the light, the light goes out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 14, 2018 Author Share Posted July 14, 2018 UPS brought the alternator today. Its about 1/2 the weight of the old on. Lots of instructions are included. Plan is to work on it tomorrow morning before it gets to 100 degrees in the shade. Pictures when my phone is recharged. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1956322 Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 I think you'll love it.. Like I said don't be surprised if you end up going one belt size smaller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 14, 2018 Author Share Posted July 14, 2018 First try this morning was to hang the Powergen from the generator brackets. IT DOES NOT FIT. The holes dont line up and it looks like the belts wont either. I am about a 1/2 hole off on the front. Thought about doing some modifying of the bracket but not ready to do that yet. In the house cooling off and waiting fro a second set of eyes. I am glad I started with this as opposed to the wiring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 Well we thought we had it solved. We went ahead and wired the car for all of its improvements. We had the powergen hanging on the bracket after a little modification/ We were putting the adjuster bracket on and no matter what we did we couldn't get it adjusted. We pulled it back off and the ear on the alternator is in the wrong place. You can see the ear is cocked a little less in the :Plowegen versus the original one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1956322 Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 So weird mine bolted right up no fuss no nothing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 15, 2018 Author Share Posted July 15, 2018 I think the whole problem is the face I have A/C on mine. I would love to see a picture of yours if you can do that. The one picture I saw showed the alternator on top of the brakes while mine hangs from the bracket. This will explain why the wire connections are on the bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1956322 Posted July 15, 2018 Share Posted July 15, 2018 Mine is on top of the brackets just like my gen was.. I'll try to take a picture tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1956322 Posted July 16, 2018 Share Posted July 16, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 16, 2018 Author Share Posted July 16, 2018 I figure out how to make a bracket from a universal bracket from Mr. Gasket. Now I have it all mounted and line up and have to shop for some new Belts. As far as what I go, looking at pictures from various people, it looks like it is made for Non AC Cars as they seem to sit with the bracket on the bottom as opposed to hanging from the bracket. I will talk to them tomorrow about this. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 16, 2018 Share Posted July 16, 2018 Bill, sorry you are having a time with installation. Looks like it took some fiddling as your car has A/C but you found a solution. Let see about wiring! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 16, 2018 Author Share Posted July 16, 2018 Wiring, if it works (LOL) was not hard. I removed the regulator and used two of the wires from the generator to feed the Gen Light and the relay for the push to start. Ran the feed wire over to the lug that the battery connects to, The relay for the push to start sits where the voltage regulator sat before. We will see if it works. (Cross Fingers) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 They must be based on the Chevy generators that sit on the driver side of the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 17, 2018 Author Share Posted July 17, 2018 No, If you look at the 401s without AC they sit upright on the passenger side. The 401 WITH AC hangs off of the bracket. The compressor is up top. And the adjusting bracket is down below. Totally different configuration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 1956322's is oriented the same way, there the adjustment ear is in the wrong side of the case, hence my observation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 23, 2018 Author Share Posted July 23, 2018 ITS ALIVE... After some custom bracket work and find a belt that was bigger, I was able to work this morning and get it running again. I did have my wife standing by with the Fire extinguisher just in case though. It make a difference, the noise I attributed to the compressor has gone away. My gas pedal start works and I have a generator light. My AC blower is much better now, I actually could feel it coming out the drivers side vent and the turn signals flash faster. I am happy now. I can even live with the connections being on the bottom. Here is how mine is mounted and the adjusting bracket I made from an universal bracket I cut and drilled. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 What a cool product. Looks factory correct under that compressor. Nicely done Bill! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 Nice Bill! Thanks for sharing. Definitely will go this route if and when my generator goes south. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 So, where in those pictures is the alternator that you're talking about...? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 1 hour ago, EmTee said: So, where in those pictures is the alternator that you're talking about...? Guess it worked, Bill! Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted August 2, 2018 Author Share Posted August 2, 2018 On 7/27/2018 at 8:15 AM, EmTee said: So, where in those pictures is the alternator that you're talking about...? The alternator is under the A/C compressor. It is a Powergen alternator that looks very similar to a generator. (except inside). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted August 2, 2018 Share Posted August 2, 2018 21 minutes ago, Bill Stoneberg said: The alternator is under the A/C compressor. It is a Powergen alternator that looks very similar to a generator. (except inside). I think he was making a funny. ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted July 31, 2019 Share Posted July 31, 2019 Bill, Can you tell me which model you purchased? They seem to have 2 that will work for my 1957 Buick, one with a "light/lamp" terminal and one without. 82051 is without the lamp terminal, 82051-2 is with. I'm thinking of putting one on my wagon as I am rebuilding it for trailer towing. Thanks for your help on this. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 31, 2019 Author Share Posted July 31, 2019 I called them and talked to John Babcock. I ordered was going to order a 82501-4 which has the push to start feature. After talking to John, I had him make me a special. I got a Powergen Altenator with push to start and a Gen light on it. It works well and kicks but with the AC blower. I would highly recommend it. As I said, if you have AC, it mounts with wires on the bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick man Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 Bill : Just a suggestion but perhaps a photo shoot session of your customized hand-made adjusting bracket or a diagram of it and what you used to begin with would be very useful for future wannabees going this route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosiesdad Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 I tried out the 5th Ave. 6volt alternator. It works really nice. 60AMP and easy install. My push to start still works. Battery stays fully charged now! I only needed one piece of the mount kit and it bolted up so close to the block I am able to use the original drive belt. Nice upgrade. Cheers, Phil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 12, 2019 Share Posted August 12, 2019 Valuable info! Nicely written. Thanx! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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