Generator Pulley Size

Would running a smaller pulley help the low idle charging by spinning it faster? Has this been tried? I would assume so. I need a generator to run my hydro pump and plow.

 

Good question, I would just put an alternator on it, for cheap, $70.00 or so, the bracket and the 5/8" pulley make it an easy up grade without really changing a lot, and you can keep your generator for going back. Mine makes 100 amps and I don't have anything that needs it. Good luck.

 

Ditto the above - what is the real problem?

 

I do end up idle'ing and being at low RPM a ton. The Jeep mostly works, and does not spend much time on pavement (though that will be changing soon). I need to charge my battery with an external charger more often that I'd think is normal. I know the generator works, but how well is suspect, and I figured it was due to extensive low PRM use.

I have dealt with superchargers and UNDERdriving accessory pulleys, like mentioned above. Overdrive, in theory, works the same way. This Jeep never sees > 3k RPM so why have a pulley sized for that when it hurts charging (is my thoughts)?

 

Or convert to an alternator. An alternator is more efficient than a generator, and makes a higher voltage at low speed. It's been done before to the 134s.

 

How much does any F-head see 3000 rpm?
Hardly at all. Your system was designed to work, and did for over half a century, just the way it is.
The problem lies elsewhere.

Are you sure your battery is not just old, weak, or failing?
Is your fan belt tensioned properly?
Generator brushes and commutator clean?

Any of those could result in needing frequent "external" charges.

As for alternators being more efficient?
The last new alternator had I burned out rapidly - and the replacement I bought carried a warning that it could be damaged "charging a discharged battery."
There's progress for you.

 

generators don't charge well at low rpm. He needs to idle around at low rpm for periods of time.
Baring any basic electrical problems, he has 2 choices, continue to charge externally or get an alternator. Or a third choice, drive it at normal road speed until the battery has a good charge on it then park it.

 

"55 mph is 3200 rpm on my tach."

There you go… I never run mine over 50mph. Which would be 2909.09 rpm.

 

It still is right at or just below 3k on the tach at 50 mph. They will do it. They were actually built to run at 60 to 65 mph with those 538 final gear ratios. I am just not running any faster thatn 55 in mine. Real hard to smell the roses at anything over that. And I want to run faster than the sidewinders and diamondbacks can strike, too.

 

And of course generator type voltage regulators can be adjusted, or his could be failing.

 

Probably. I use an alternator on mine. Have to rev up to 1500 on the tach for the exciter to kick in, but then it charges at idle speed after that. And 1500 to 1600 is what my cold weather first start of the day high idle is set to.