adding an alternator to a clone

[sho305]

One thing to note is your loss will also be connected to the rpm you run it at. If you put a smaller pulley on the engine loss will be less. Figure you will be running minimum 2,000rpm while the cart is moving where you may need 10amps of power to run 55w driving lights, so really you can size the pulley to deliver higher output at 3500rpm when you had it on the floor as you really don't need that much power in a cart....unless you run a big amplified stereo or lots of lights/etc. In that case you want some power at idle speeds, but a normal cart can reduce alt rpm and save engine power. There is no doubt my 55w lights get brighter at about 2K rpm and greater with the stock generator and that works fine (15A max output on those, so you could run a gen quite slow and have that though it may not be good for it. It could lose cooling from its fan at constant really low rpm).

[phnguyk]

No real noticeable loss of power, just give it more go pedal. Really, now I'm running offroad lights, full stereo, and an inverter for holiday decorations(parades).

[sho305]

Generators like stock carts use are not good at making power at lower rpm, that is why they stopped using them on cars long ago. An alt is much better at that, it will do better than a gen. Though if you run the cart at higher rpm enough to keep the battery up a stock gen works ok (and don't use way more power than it makes).

[Seafarer12]

Shouldn't be any loss of power even if you throw a 200 amp alternator on it. Unless your using 200 amps of course. It is only going to make enough power to maintain 14 volts. The old generators didn't make much power since they had a commutator and all the power had to go through the brushes. Now that we have diodes to rectify ac we can use a rotating field and not worry about running a lot of amps through the brushes unless you want to use it as a motor too then your stuck with an old generator.

[Quinn]

Why add an alternator? Why use the clone starter? Are the first questions that come to my mind. Why not use the original came with the golf cart starter/generator and have the cart work as it was designed? Guess I'm a fan of the KISS principle of doing that. I wanna keep it functioning exactly as a golf cart. Push the gas pedal runs the starter/generator and it starts. Then the gas unit powers up the battery via the generator/starter. Let all the way of the gas pedal the gas engine stops. No need for an alternator it works as a proper golf cart should...

[sho305]

Stock gen yamaha is rated at 15A

[slonomo]

Originally Posted by Quinn

Why add an alternator? Why use the clone starter? Are the first questions that come to my mind. Why not use the original came with the golf cart starter/generator and have the cart work as it was designed? Guess I'm a fan of the KISS principle of doing that. I wanna keep it functioning exactly as a golf cart. Push the gas pedal runs the starter/generator and it starts. Then the gas unit powers up the battery via the generator/starter. Let all the way of the gas pedal the gas engine stops. No need for an alternator it works as a proper golf cart should...

It just depends on how much power you need. An alternator gives you options for power output and how many accessories you can run.

I'm with you though, I just run the stock starter/gen for now.

[thaipham25]

Originally Posted by sho305

Stock gen yamaha is rated at 15A

Ppplppppppp:sly::(:(:o:(:mad:

Sent from my LGL35G using Tapatalk 2

[slonomo]

Originally Posted by thaipham25

Ppplppppppp:sly::(:(:o:(:mad:

Sent from my LGL35G using Tapatalk 2

What the?

[Quinn]

I should clarify a bit. What I did was have the starter/generator rebuilt and beefed up a bit at a local automotive electrics shop in town. Since mine is now made to spin only one direction he was able to beef it up so it puts out 50 amps/14.5 volts at 3600 rpm. Also we beefed up the external voltage regulator to work with it.