On a car like the 1964 Mustang (generator) and 1965 Mustang (alternator)?
2007-08-31 10:02:07 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Ford
Generators would discharge at idle instead of charging. When you revved the motor the ammeter would swing from discharge to charge.
The alternator is more efficient and does a better job at providing electricity to the battery.
If you are restoring the car then fix the generator. If you are modifying it anyway then go with the alternator.
good luck.
2007-08-31 16:07:01 · answer #1 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As others have stated... The discharge at idle was one condition but other issues were more stuff being added to the car that the generator couldn't keep up with, the alternator puts out more amperage at idle (even though reving up a alternator does make it charge more also), and majorly.. the size... a alternator can fit in small areas and charge way more amps than a big generator could.
Watch out however, for some reason , some manufacturers in the past 5 years have stopped calling them alternators and went back to the term of generator even though it truly is an alternator
2007-09-01 12:17:03 · answer #2 · answered by gearbox 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to that, the brushes on an alternator never switch from bar to bar. Did you guys know that? They just stay on the same bar all the time, and it can be made smooth, and so they don't wear out very much. Almost last forever.
This is also true of motors, and it's the reason we have AC house wiring. It was the ultimately winning argument in the battle between Edison and Westinghouse (DC and AC) over a hundred years ago.
2007-08-31 15:30:59 · answer #3 · answered by Firebird 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Parts internal are different, but an alternator puts out more amps than a generator
2007-09-01 04:38:50 · answer #4 · answered by 144289 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An alternator will charge at idle & also supply more power to drive accessories such as the air conditioning stereo etc. the downside?, you will need to modify the wiring - easy to do but not good on a matching # classic, your choice.
2007-08-31 10:25:57 · answer #5 · answered by cuddlyclaud 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
alternators are the friend of tow truck drivers who like to sell batteries.
2017-01-03 18:32:37 · answer #6 · answered by Bartholomew 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there's got to be a reason they quit using them 44 years ago, generators won't charge at low rpm
2007-08-31 11:26:02 · answer #7 · answered by ClassicMustang 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋