Generator 32E alternative 12 Volts alternator with built-in regulator

[saddlebagrail]

Hi Chris
Some customers asked me that question before,and to answer it I will start to the speed of the rotor inside the alternator,the rotor speed is quite high when the engine is revving and as Sarge mentionned most inside parts of those little alternator are sealed like the regulator and the rectifier,including sealed bearings,the only thing that is not sealed is the two carbons brushes that rub again the slip ring (commutators) at the end of the unit,there is two fans press on each end of the rotor ,that is there for cooling the unit and keeping the water from comming in ,that is why that alternators have all opened end in the outside casting of those alternator,cooling it and keeping all debris outside,the main problem with charging unit are the «heat» generated by the charging system and when you have cooling fans and opening that solve that problem,that was not the case with the original 32E generator that was totally sealed .

I had one my friends who had bought from V-Twin a small alternator looking like a small oil filter,he was sceptical about that the water might get in my Poweraythor,so he end up trying the unit from V-Twin but it was not enough for what he want to run on his bike,so he to make a short story ,he ended up with one of my unit,and I asked him at that time if he would mind trying the worst with his new unit,trying the worst and biggest water spot he could find , also riding in pouring rain,after all he can try ,the unit was still charging and he was more than impressed with it,let me tell you that everytime I saw him he is talking about it.
For those who are riding a 4X4 truck ,sometimes crossing rivers ,over the hood there might be a few seconds that the brushes will not contact but the unit will continues charging the sytem when the truck is out of the water ,and it is an alternator install on those truck never mind the brand,and as Sarge mentionned those unit use parts that are replaceable and that are already available through an automotive or and alternator shop,
I don't know what kind of unit you have install on your car, but for sure you normally do not replace parts real often,they are normally very reliable, hope that answer your question,Ray

[twowheeler63]

As a worst case scenario, if your battery is dead, you can charge it up with a generator, just by kicking the thing over several times. This can produce enough spark to get you going. You can not do that with a alternator, right?

[saddlebagrail]

Hi Twowheeler63
To respond you I will begin with that... It reminded me long time ago when I use to run a generator (65A)and had to keep a jump wire everytime I take off the battery wire and plug it on the battery again after charging it (that was before the Battery Tender era) to make sure I will have a battery with enough juice to take my 67 on a night ride,let me tell you that since I use the Poweraythor on my bike I had never had a dead battery anymore,it might happen, if you forgot your headlight on and the battery become low you will simply boost the battery like you would do with your car and then the alternator will keep it charge again unless the battery had come to it's end (there is always an end to a battery you know).

You might be right for a generator that will keep you going even if the battery is dead,and for those of you that still want to keep their old generator on, I totally agree with them and I did not intend to make you change your mind here over to an alternator on your old Harley,it is only a modern day alternative to those who want to go with that option,an alternator versus a generator equal less maintenance and the pleasure of always have a charge battery everytime you need it, never mind the speed of the engine and the kind of driving you are doing,the headlight and spotlamps are always bright with an alternator as with cars,it is not the same with the generator...

For those who are using the small battery tender to keep your battery charge everytime you park your bike in the garage until your next ride,let me tell you that I had never use that kind of charging unit and I almost always use the starter on my 67 generator shovel and it start every time,a full charge battery never give you problems ,it is when the battery is low, that the problem begin,hope that help,Ray