Will an alternator work spinning in reverse?

Question

I am building a 350 , with no belts and am building a bracket to spin the alternator directly off the crank, will it work spinning backwards

additional details for those who want to know
electric water pump
electric power steering pump
A/C compressor running off 110v ac off inverter mounted in trunk
2 electric fans on outside of radiator as pusher fans
ultra clean engine bay

Answer 1

Late model Corvette alternators do run backwards.

Answer 2

Of course it will, for the simple reason that it is AC ( alternating current ) inside and changed to DC ( direct current ) after the internal diodes, so it doesn't matter which side you turn it, it will generate the same power, the only things is your brushes have been shaped a certain way by always turning on the same side so by turning it the other way around it will be harder on them unless you replace them with new ones then problem solved, if you don't replace them they will worn out faster and you may end up with alternator noise in your AM radio because of higher sparks in the brushes, the other very important factor is the fan which will turn the opposite way will not cool your alternator very much anymore and may result in your alternator failure due to over heating, i'm always amazed on how many people tries to answer something that they have no idea what they are talking about and it shows pretty fast when you read what they have writen you, if you have any other questions please feel free to ask

Answer 3

It will work but the lifespan will be short. The fan will be moving the wrong direction and if there are any tapers on the brushes to keep them from catching they will be on the wrong side. How exactly are you going to go about making a belt-less 350 anyhow? If you plan on doing it using gears or whatever else all you have to do is put an idler gear between the crank and the alternator and it will spin the correct direction.

Answer 4

It depends on the alternator. The stator and rotor will generate electricity but the diodes and the regulator (if equipped) will stop the current from flowing. the fan will be backwards also and will not push air inside. I don't believe the brushes will be a problem at all.
However, since you are modifying an engine anyway, it will not be difficult for you to modify the alternator to work the way you want.

The regulator and diodes will need to be rewired, and the fan can be mounted backwards.

Test every step of the modification.

Answer 5

Backwards probably not. What about powering it off the drive shaft? Maybe an alternator for a tractor?

Answer 6

Good question! I would think so,but if it is a used alternator you may have problems with the brushes inside as they are already formed to spin the other way.Try a new alternator & let me know how it works out.Good luck

Answer 7

There is NOTHING simpler than an impact wrench for removing these nuts Lol :) Take it to a local service station they will be glad to remove it for a couple of $ for a cold beer!

Answer 8

Try hooking it up to the zorbin shaft using a synthetic oil viscious coupler and helical cut planteary ring gears.

Answer 9

Yes, electrically it will work. But the fan blades will not be as efficient pulling air to cool it as it is pushing.

Answer 10

its should work try this take it to youre local parts store that can test them ask them to run it in reverse then check how much its putting out .. hope that helps