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Q&A Bad Pully

10/24/02*

Answer:--->  If you switch to the Alternator then you will need a new stand. The old generator stand will not work with the alternator. But the new alternator stand will work with the generator or alternator.
 
  There is some Good and Bad about both systems. 
It will be more costly to switch to the Alt., but the alternator will put out nearly twice the power and normally last longer as brush wear is less. 
  New alternators have built in regulators and are easy to wire.
 
  If you hook up a wire wrong, the diodes in the alternator can blow instantly.  The generator is more forgiving but you will also have a separate regulator in the system, so more parts that can go wrong. (the new bosch regulators are solid state so should last longer) 

  You won't need to upgrade the Generator to an Alternator unless your total electrical load is likely to exceed 30 amps or 360w (12v x 30a =360 watts) The normal electrical load with stock headlights and engine running is about 200 watts, so you have about 160 watts left over for radio & windshield wipers before you run out of power. Now if you add a couple 100 watt speakers or some off-road lights that draw over 200 watts then the alternator will defiantly be necessary.
 
  The VW Generator puts out 30 amps and the average VW Alternator puts out 55 amps (660 watts) so just do the math on your present and future needs.

(The battery size is irrelevant as it's the sustained output of the generator or alternator that makes the deference.)  Gen/Alt Warning Buzzer order

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