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Tue Apr 20, 2004 4:41 am

How do you tell if you have a generator or an alternator?

What is this?: click on link to view.... pic is too large an screws up the format...

http://desertpirates.net/genalt.jpg

Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:06 am

That is a Generator.

Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:08 am

Alternators are larger in size.

Here's a AL78 alternator (with external regulator)

Tue Apr 20, 2004 1:07 pm

thanx!

Wed Apr 21, 2004 6:32 am

so mine is a generator?? :? i've always called it an alternator :?

Wed Apr 21, 2004 7:42 am

[quote="1973 1303S"]so mine is a generator?? :? i've always called it an alternator :?

you were wrong....

-jeffrey :wink:

Wed Apr 21, 2004 7:47 am

1973 1303S wrote: so mine is a generator?? :? i've always called it an alternator :?

You learn something new every day :)

Wed Apr 21, 2004 3:36 pm

you do indeed!

so an alternator is better at recharging the battery etc?

Wed Apr 21, 2004 4:29 pm

1973 1303S wrote: you do indeed!

so an alternator is better at recharging the battery etc?
Yes the alternator is better.

Wed Apr 21, 2004 6:21 pm

You also could tell,if you are stock -till dec of 73 generators where stock -in Dec of 73 the alternator replaced the generator Chassis number 113 beginning = generator 114 beginning numbered =alternator

Fri Apr 30, 2004 1:42 pm

So if you've got an alternator, you should have a belt with those little teeth on it?

Fri Apr 30, 2004 1:50 pm

I don't think the teeth have anything to do with the alternator / generator, do they? I think that's just a different way to make a belt. The pulley wheels that the belt goes around are still going to be the same whether you have an alternator or generator...

Thu May 06, 2004 7:39 am

I only ask about the teeth because when I went down to one of our local VW shops and got a replacement, the shop owner asked if i had a generator or an alternator, and told me the later ones use the belts with teeth. It doesn't seem to make a difference; anyone know what the point of the two different ones is?

Sun May 23, 2004 5:11 am

The purpose of the teeth is for heat. When a belt heats up it will get larger (we aren't talking about a big difference). It may slip or squeal. The notches in the blet give the expansion someplace to go rather than change the length of the belt.

The belts are differant sizes for the generator and alternator. Since the alternator is slightly bigger in diamneter it needs a slightly longer belt. As a rule there are only 3 belts for Beetles.

-6 volt systems 10 x 900 mm
-12 volt gen. 10 x 905 mm
-12 volt alt . 11.3 x 912 mm

You can get all these to fit on your genrerator set-up in a pinch, but the 6 votl and the alternator ones will be tight and may cause damage to the bearings in the generator. But if your stuck and that's all you can find, they will get you home.