Adding alternator to 1917 T

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Emeraude
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Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by Emeraude » Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:41 pm

I found a 1917 T that previous owner had started to make into a depot hack.there is a starter but there is no provision for a generator. Can a alternator be added and is there a kit to do it? Also does anyone have plans for sale or do any members have plans I could buy or copy?

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Henry K. Lee
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by Henry K. Lee » Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:48 pm

These are some I offer.

IMG_3077.jpeg
12 volt alternator, can be used with a water pump as well. Kit $390.00 with shipping.


IMG_3080.jpeg
IMG_3079.jpeg
Or install a 6 volt original generator by removing the gear and installing the supplied pulley.
Kit (no Generator) $290.00 with shipping.

Hope this Helps,

Hank

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Henry K. Lee
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by Henry K. Lee » Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:50 pm

Here's one in operation!
IMG_0204.jpeg


Kerry
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by Kerry » Wed Jun 10, 2020 7:04 pm

If you don't want all that plumbing hanging off your engine then just use your magneto to charge your battery. And a lot cheaper to set up as well :D


Allan
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by Allan » Wed Jun 10, 2020 9:22 pm

Frank has the simple solution. Even simpler is to use a decent battery and charge it each time you get home. Unless you plan on heaps of stop-start driving, a well maintained battery will serve the purpose. And, you can always use the hand crank if the battery does die.

Allan from down under.

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RajoRacer
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by RajoRacer » Wed Jun 10, 2020 10:09 pm

This is one of T.T.P.'s kits - simple install - although I replaced the "hokey" belt adjuster !
Attachments
alternator kit.JPG


modeltbarn
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by modeltbarn » Thu Jun 11, 2020 2:44 pm

You really don't need to do the alternator.

I put a starter on my '11. I use a 6V Optima battery. I bought a Battery Tender; the connection is a pig tail about 12" long that hangs below the rear seat (you can barely see it). I can drive my car for days, always use the starter, and I don't have to charge it. Every once in awhile I connect it to top it off, but it's not much of a concern. In the winter I leave the tender connected. This works great, and I don't have to worry about an alternator and whatever problems it may have.

The magneto chargers are great and they're cheap, I just don't have the need for one.

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RajoRacer
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by RajoRacer » Thu Jun 11, 2020 4:32 pm

I installed Halogen lights so I needed the output.


2nighthawks
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by 2nighthawks » Thu Jun 11, 2020 9:43 pm

Steve Tomaso - Which "T" is that Steve,....the Centerdoor? Some nice "mods" on that "slightly warmed-over" engine besides the alternator,.....HC head for one, and I especially like the timer elevator! Sure makes servicing the timer quicker and easier, huh?

Gary London - I agree with your Optima battery/battery tender charging methods. I do the same thing and it works just great! Can't really say how often I need to put the battery tender on overnight, but darned seldom! Because I can tell when it's "just about time" when the starter begins to crank the engine a bit slower,....and as you say,.....battery tender all winter of course. I do this on a couple other "T's, and a project I've been considering is to try to come up with some quick, easy and safe way to hook up the battery tender with a more convenient "plug-in" arrangement instead of the alligator clips,.....anybody got any ideas in that regard?

Sorry for the "thread drift",.....harold


2nighthawks
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by 2nighthawks » Thu Jun 11, 2020 9:45 pm

......oops! Gary,.....I meant to also say that when you think about it, I don't feel like an occasional "top-up" of the Optima battery with the battery tender is even as much trouble as what people have to do with their "all-electric" cars and golf carts and such!

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RajoRacer
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by RajoRacer » Thu Jun 11, 2020 10:01 pm

That's the '14 Touring, Harold.

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RajoRacer
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by RajoRacer » Thu Jun 11, 2020 10:03 pm

Harold - the "Battery Tender" brand unit comes with both the alligator clips & permanent eye rings to attach to the post bolts - all 5 of mine are permanent !

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TRDxB2
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Re: Adding alternator to 1917 T

Post by TRDxB2 » Fri Jun 12, 2020 11:46 am

I doubt that you will have any power requirements necessitating going to an alternator (6 or 12volt). Since you will need a battery, start off with just that. If that doesn't work out for you then you can always add on a generator. As far as batteries go - you should get a Deep Cycle battery like used in golf carts, marine and other portable equipment applications. They're designed to be repeatably charged even when drained, normal car batteries don't handle a recharge after drained well. In choosing one don't select one based on CCA (cold crank) value (Deep cycle is less than Car battery) pointless unless you drive your T below 35°F. The key value is AH. This link gives a very good explanation of battery lingo https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/article ... asics.html read it covers all the bases including proper recharging.
Unfortunately its references are to a 12volt but they should apply to a 6volts as well. You will also need to decide where to put it on the vehicle, so size matters. :oops:
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
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