Generator vs Alternator with small sub and speakers

[whatthehucks]

So i was i able to find anything in the search so hopefully someone can lead me in the right direction.

I have a 4 channel amp and 2 speakers on the way to install into the 64. It has already been converted to 12v from the po. My question is will the 12v generator be sufficient enough to power the stereo and everything or should i think about upgrading to a alternator?

If I should convert to an alternator setup is a basic 55amp good enough? I don’t have any other electronics other than the stereo and most of my interior lights and tails have been converted to LEDs also.

[Q-Dog]

It all depends on how efficient your amplifier is. How many amps does it draw?

Back in the 80s I ran Linear Power active crossover with a 150 watt and a 60 watt Linear Power amps and an Alpine head unit with a stock generator. That setup made over 120db SPL before distortion measured from the drivers position and did OK in competition when judged for accuracy. I spent more for those amps than I spent for the car ... a lot more.

The stock generator and voltage regulator was fine. The new solid stated voltage regulators are much better.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[whatthehucks]

Thanks!

Not looking for competition sound at all. Just a little oomph over the single 4”.

[Miklo]

Ditch the old generator not just for the stereo...

I recommend buying an alternator from AutoZone.

They come with a lifetime warranty and are relatively cheap.

They are good alternators but use bad bearings.

Replace or apply your own quality grease in them and they will last. Going through a few in only a couple years, I learned.

They have never hassled me and I've only payed once.

Same goes for their starters! Which are rebuilt OG Bosch.

Again, some work on those too and they function great for years!
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✠Miklo✠
'55 Type1 "Ozma"
'66 Type1 "Charlotte" RIP
Antelope Valley's Mobile Air-Cooled Guru

[Q-Dog]

Why anyone would put up with "going through a few (alternators) in a few years" is beyond me. Each replacement costs me time even if they give me a new one that will also fail eventually.

I have over 320,000 miles on the generator I am running on my buggy. It was in my convertible for its first 299,000 miles and about half of those miles were running the stereo system I mentioned in the above post. Replace brushes when worn and don't overtighten the belt and they can last a long time.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[cbeck]

Watts ÷volts =amps.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[whatthehucks]

Is there a sticky or forum that discusses after market stereo and what not. I haven’t had luck finding anything

[Zundfolge1432]

[whatthehucks]

yeah not buying a 155$ 30 amp alternator from autozone. But thanks

[ashman40]

[cbeck]

Dark and raining, high beams(100watt ea?), Wipers(? Watts), ignition(8amp?), Parking lites (25 ?watt ea), blinkers, bet your getting close.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[Q-Dog]

Dark and raining with the high beams going, I doubt you'll be blasting the stereo at full power.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[Danwvw]

Yes if you have incandescent headlamps still they are normally 55/60 Watts and the Generator is designed to run them full time. If you put a 100 Watt Stereo in with a subwoofer probably it's on the verge of needing an alternator. One solution is to run rather expensive 12 volt LED headlights that free up some power. I think the best way to tell if you have a problem is if the battery starts to be under charged IE below 12.6 volts at rest not charging.

(I figured out a way to measure the amps at my 6 Volt generator using el-cheapo Digital Amp meter etc.. The 6 Volt Electronic Generator Voltage Regulator shown would not be needed Just the 100 amp Digital Display that comes with it's own shunt and an AD22057 Isolation Chip is needed because the Digital Ammeter was designed to run between the Generator/Alternator and Ground and that doesn't work on Negative Ground charging systems.)
Lights Off:

60 Watt 6 volt Lights On: (Current on a 12 volt system could be 1/2 this!)

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1960 Beetle And 1679cc DP W-100 & Dual Zeniths!

[Fman]

[theduck]

Off topic,but,Hey is a generator stand the same as a alternator stand?I know about the fuel pump difference.But seems like they're both the same?

[Sharp64]

[61SNRF]

[Cusser]

[ashman40]

Pictures! (I think the first one is from glutamodo)

Here you can see the cutaway sections in the alternator stand (right) to allow for the larger diameter at the rear end of the alternator case.

The diameter of the generator and alternator case that rest on the top of the stand are the same. This is why you can mount a generator on top of an alternator stand. But when you try to mount an alternator on top of a generator stand the larger diameter "belt" of the alternator case interferes with the rear side of the stand and cannot align the fan inside the fan shroud. This is why the alternator stand is cut away in this area.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[theduck]

Thank all of you for the advise!!