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Thu Aug 07, 2003 8:33 am

I want to convert my 70 vw to have a Alternator instead of a generator, I want to do it right so is it very easy to do, as simple as changing the units out and then replugging it or do you have to do alot of rewiring? If anyone knows of some online sites that detail this type of installation that would be of much help.

Thanks in advance..

Shane

Thu Aug 07, 2003 11:20 pm

i tried doing the generator to alternator conversion without taking the engine outta my bus but it was a real pain in the ass. get a 36mm socket, drop the engine, break the 36 on the back FIRST (by locking up the pulley), then remove all the old crap according to Muir (after marking what wires were what on the generator), and put the new alt stand and alt in.

for my old 67 bus i had to lose the voltage regulator, splice the DF wire into the wire from the front of the bus (it was blue) and put it on the D+ marking on the alt; this made it so the wire from the front went directly to the D+ on the alt. then you need to get a wire from the + of the battery to the B+ on the alt (you can splice into the big red wire).

to sum up the electrical- wire from the front of car goes on D+ of alt; the B+ needs to come from the big red positive(+) wire.

http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/schem/gen_alt.gif is the link i was given to use. it was pretty painless but let me know cuz i will get pics or more details if ya need em

Fri Aug 08, 2003 7:08 am

Check out these pages on switching. See-> http://www.1800vw.bizhosting.com/alternatorwiring.htm and -> http://www.1800vw.bizhosting.com/qa_genoralt.htm

Sun Aug 10, 2003 6:19 am

You should simply be able to bypass the voltage regulator whilst still leaving it in place, The alternator has a built in voltage regulator. basically with a n alternator - the large wire (or larger terminal) goes straight to the battery and the smaller wire goes to the warning light on the dash.

If you look at the wiring diagram you will see that one side of the voltage regulator connects to terminals on the dynamo, whilst the other connects to the battery and said warning light, move the large wire to the same terminal as the wire going to the battery, and the other wire to the same terminal as the smaller wire going to the light on the dash.

To test everything is working:-
Measure battery voltage (approx 12v)
Turn ignition on - dash light should come on
Start the car - the light on dash should go out.
measure battery voltage - should be higher than before (poss 14vor more)
Stop car, remove large wire at alternator - start car - light on dash should remain on.

If you have a problem with the dash light, isolate the small wires from the voltage regulator but keep them connected together.

Tue Aug 12, 2003 11:30 am

I would recomend using the Bosch Alt with the built in Regulator. '73 bugs used a Motorola Alt that was externally regulated and the regulators are pretty expensive. You can also use the alt stand from a 73-74 bug as it is a alt stand.
Most parts houses offer a kit to do the conversion for around $125.00.