generator -> alternator conversion on a 1966 Volvo 122s

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by lollipop, Jan 11, 2006.

  1. lollipop

    lollipop Guest

    I put a new car stereo into my 1996 Volvo, but now I need an
    appropriate alternator to drive the stereo. Does anyone have any
    recommendations on a good conversion kit? I saw this one mentioned in
    past postings, http://sw-em.com/altkit.htm, and it seems to be a good
    match. If people recommend this kit, then my follow up question is,
    where online should I go to pick up an AC Delco alternator? The car
    stereo requires 70amps from the battery so I would assume that I need
    the same output from the alternator as well? Any help on what features
    to look for in an alternator would be appreciated as well.

    thanks for the help,

    Jesse Hathaway
     
    lollipop, Jan 11, 2006
    #1
  2. lollipop

    Mike F Guest

    I suggest you find the alternator bracket from a 140 (or 69- 122) in a
    junkyard (err, recycling yard).

    --
    Mike F.
    Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

    Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
    (But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)
     
    Mike F, Jan 12, 2006
    #2
  3. The car stereo requires 70amps from the battery

    Surely not?
     
    David Balfour, Jan 12, 2006
    #3
  4. lollipop

    lollipop Guest

    The person who helped spec out the stereo for me said that I would need
    a battery with at least 70 cold cranking amps, does this sound
    unreasonable?
     
    lollipop, Jan 12, 2006
    #4
  5. lollipop

    Gary Heston Guest

    Sounds tiny; car batteries are rated at 400 or more CCAs. Generally,
    electronic equipment requires a steady curent flow rated in amp-hours,
    or AH. Not the same thing as CCAs, that's a rating for a short, high
    current surge.

    The staff at an auto parts store will have the AH ratings for the batteries
    they sell. They can probably look up alternator ratings; something for a
    mid-'70s Cadilac or Lincoln would probably be good. Get one that has a
    built-in regulator.


    Gary
     
    Gary Heston, Jan 13, 2006
    #5
  6. lollipop

    Timewarp Guest

    Hi. One thought...... Most cars with dynamos were positive earth,
    the positive of the battery connected to chassis (frame).
    Alternators are usually negative earth.
    You will need to check this out or there will be problems.
    All sorts of things on the vehicle may need to be changed.
    Has it got electronic ignition? Clock?

    Clive.
     
    Timewarp, Jan 18, 2006
    #6
  7. lollipop

    Lloyd Wells Guest

    The only car I ever had w/ positive ground was my old 1959 Austin-Healy.
    I've never seen a Volvo w/ positive ground at least since the B-16 122. I
    put an alternator in a '66 122 w/ a B-20 engine. It was a while ago but I
    think all I did was grab everything out of a 144 and slapped it in - worked
    like a charm.
     
    Lloyd Wells, Jan 18, 2006
    #7
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