Rear Axle Mounted Alternator

[TheYeti]

Anyone here have real experience and not just theory on whether it's feasible for a car that will be a cruiser?

It would be a car that's driven on the highway to work or out Sunday bar hoppin... Not a show car situation, not interested in parades either so never any extended periods of idling past that of a wait at a red light.

Do they charge well?

 

[choppedtop]

I don't recall the name, but someone on this forum has one. Give it a bit of time and somebody will fess up.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Ah, I've been running my alternator off the driveshaft at the rear U-joint for 30 years:

..it's a 100 amp GM CS alternator. Charges fine over about 20 mph. I use an Optima AGM yellow-top battery, made for fast charging and deep discharge, so I'm OK in stop 'n go traffic and sitting around idling. And the Optima is over 10 years old and counting. Regular batteries only lasted 2-3 years.

 

[Gerry]

Me too, trip in at around 8mph. The drive shaft pulley that I made also doubles as the hand brake disk

 

[TheYeti]

Me too, trip in at around 8mph. The drive shaft pulley that I made also doubles as the hand brake disk



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This is awesome. I had wondered about doing a pinion brake, parking brake. What caliper did you use?

 

[TheYeti]

Ah, I've been running my alternator off the driveshaft at the rear U-joint for 30 years:
View attachment 22213
..it's a 100 amp GM CS alternator. Charges fine over about 20 mph. I use an Optima AGM yellow-top battery, made for fast charging and deep discharge, so I'm OK in stop 'n go traffic and sitting around idling. And the Optima is over 10 years old and counting. Regular batteries only lasted 2-3 years.

Awesome. Thanks for the input! I think I'm gonna find an alt and build the bracket. That GM CS looks nice. Is it smaller than the old 10si case?

 

[Neshkoro]

It appears that the alternator is mounted to the frame. How does that work as the rear end moves up and down? Is it still OK?

 

[HenrysT]

The center section of the Jag RE is mounted to the frame, so mounting the alt. to the frame isn't a problem. Having a typical RE, you'll have to mount the alt. off of the RE it's self.

 

[Neshkoro]

Got it. I didn’t pick up the Jag rear end from the photo. No

 

[Gerry]

I used a caliper from a go-cart. Cable operated and works just fine. I think you can now get hydraulic ones, if you wanted.

 

[rbsWELDER]

Interesting thread, but what is the advantage to a Rear Axle Mounted Alternator?

 

[HenrysT]

It'll clean up the engine bay

 

[PotvinGuy]

Interesting thread, but what is the advantage to a Rear Axle Mounted Alternator?

I had to do it, because the Potvin blower goes where the alternator (and radiator and water pump) would go.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Awesome. Thanks for the input! I think I'm gonna find an alt and build the bracket. That GM CS looks nice. Is it smaller than the old 10si case?

I don't know. I bought that one 30 years ago. The dummies at Ron Francis told me it was a CS unit. They also told me it was "too complicated" to give me a wiring diagram! Turns out to be a simple 2 wire hookup.

 

[Indycars]

Below are the dimensions for a GM CS-10si alternator. Thought this might help. I also measured my
CS-144 on the car for diameter and it's about 1/2" larger.

 

[old round fart]

Found this

Google Image Result for https://www.enginemaster.com.au/assets/full/PM8-410.jpg?20210309040236

 

[fletcherson]

There are a lot of high output, small diameter options available. Do a quick google to find suitable candidates, taking rotation and rpm to activate specs into consideration and go bone yarding!