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Sun Sep 28, 2008 1:45 pm

can you add an alternator to a 36HP?

Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:27 pm

I've never seen an alternator for sale that would fit the small 36HP generator cradle. 12V generators, yes (although they have become rare and expensive) but not altnerators.

Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:12 pm

I think a Porsche specialist sells a 12v alternator for Porsche and that will fit a VW 36. Be prepared to spend $$$$

Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:59 pm

Well, unlike the 36HP VW engine, the Porsche 356 engine has a removable stand - and it's with a very special (read: expensive) porsche-only stand that I've seen such a kit for sale.

http://emorymotorsports.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=28

Now, in this thread someone mentioned a company that could make an alternator out of generator. But at the end of the it, it was said the company doing it said that the core generator had to have 4.25" of inside diameter. The OUTside diameter of 6V generators is 90mm (3.54") so I'm thinking it's not something they do.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=158302&

-Andy

Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:05 pm

As far as I know it is not possible to add an alternator to a stock 36hp engine. What you can do is get a Porsche 356/912 12 volt generator as it is the same diameter as a stock VW 6 volt generator or get a stock unit rewired for 12 volt (which is what I assume you are looking to do).

Shane

Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:14 pm

I did the Porsche generator trick and worked like a champ! The other added benefit is that the voltage regulator is not on top of the generator, so you can relocate where you want (clean up the engine bay a bit). I decided to put mine on the passenger side in front of the battery:

Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:14 pm

do i have to change the generator stand on the 36hp or keep it the same to ad the porsche style one?
Do you think a 12v 1500 bus generator would work

Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:30 pm

You can't change a 36HP generator stand. Your only options are 6v, or the small diameter 12V Porsche 912 style generator. So, no, unfortunately, a 12V generator from a 1500 Bus will not fit.

Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:32 am

the reason i asked is my original 67 bus motor came with a 12v generator that is 90mm in diameter so will it work?

Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:45 am

Oh, I see - I wonder how that got on a 67 Bus? The smaller ones don't output as much - sometimes they are stamped 38amps, but I doubt that's right. 25amps is the rating that the matching regulator has. (compare that so-called 38-amp generator to the 1969-70 38amp Bus generator, which was the largest generator that VW used)

Anyway, how that you got it is unimportant - if it's 90mm then it should work on a 36HP.
-Andy

Thu May 14, 2009 3:01 pm

do i need to change my condensor to 12v?

Thu May 14, 2009 3:08 pm

condensors are not voltage specific, it'll still work fine.

Fri May 15, 2009 9:52 pm

I installed a 55 36hp engine and swapped the generator from a 6v bosch to the 12v porsche do i need to change the points condensor or anything else. Will a 68 bus 12v voltage regulator work on the porsche generator? Do i need to keep the generator pulley from the porsche or use the old gen pulley from the 6v bosch?
Any info would be great as i'm going to be trying this motor tomororw and i need to make sure everything works.
thanks to everyone.

Fri May 15, 2009 10:01 pm

The Porsche GR26X generator, you should use the normal VW 6V backing plate/tin, and pulley. I'm not sure about the dimensions of the Porsche parts, if they are the same as the 6V VW then yes you can use them. Don't use 12V pulley or tin.

Voltage regulator, when I had that setup in my 62 bug I used the one that Bosch sold to match it, the 0190350049, which was rated at 25A. I've always kind of wondered about the 38A stamp on the GR26X generator, I don't really think that can be right, the Bus 12V generator rated 38A was larger than the normal 30A one.

What regulator would I use, well, the 0190350049 I mentioned above, plus I'd bet the new solid state/electronic 30A regulator would probably work fine as well.

Again, points/condensor, will work fine under 6V or 12V.
-Andy

Fri May 15, 2009 10:22 pm

I don't that one i mentioned i don't think, do you think the 38amp regulator will burn out if i use it.

Fri May 15, 2009 10:27 pm

I hope this swap can run my koolatron and my stereo lol

Sat May 16, 2009 2:43 am

Well, it's not correct, but you can try it, I don't think it would burn out. That generator won't put out no 38 amps though, I don't think.

You'll get better regulation with an electronic relay, if that one dies, I'd get one.
-Andy

Sat May 16, 2009 5:35 pm

I think that 38amps regulator is an overkill as my generator light won't go out no matter what i try. the gens not making any current although it bench tested good. I guess i need to find one of those porsche regulators or the solid state 65 later beetle 30amp one. Do you know a good place i could buy that porsche one for cheap or is the bug one the best shot at it as i could get he bug one today.

Sat May 16, 2009 6:23 pm

Well, first of all I'd do an in-car test of the generator.

http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/htm/gen.htm

Basically unhook the wires, ground the DF and put a voltmeter on the D+ and start the engine, you should get around 12-15V at idle, and it will rise rapidly if you rev the engine. If not, something is wrong with the generator. If it works, then be looking for a different regulator. I don't know if that Porsche regulator is available "cheap" anywhere anymore. I got a new one, but I'm kind of holding onto it for now.

Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:00 am

tested the generator it work polarized it and the regulator worked on the other generator thanks for the info that link was a BIG help.