Super A to 12 volt

Hi Guys,
Well I finally got my '48 Super A project running and moving again after 19 years sitting in the field. After a block and a head change and everything that goes with that like rings, bearings etc., a clutch while it was apart, rear tires (boy did they come of the rims hard!!), freeing up 1/2 the moving parts like linkages, brake peddles, etc, rebuilding the carb the starter and the steering box, it sure is gratifying to ride it around the field to break in the engine. VERY enjoyable! It still doesn't look very good, it really need a paint job (painting it will be my winter project this year), but it sure looks beautiful to me!
So now I'm putting a 1970's Sidewinder winch on an old rear mower frame for retrieving firewood and I need to get an alternator on it to use the winch. With no charging system on it now, I can start it about 25 or 30 times before it needs a charge. The winch kills a fully charged battery in about 15 minutes. So after all this, my questions are:
1) What alternators are you guys using? I mean, is it best to use an internal regulated or an external regulated alternator? I have a couple different Chrysler external reg. and a couple Toyota internal reg. and even an old Bosh that I'm not sure what it is.
2) I guess I should know this, but does it matter which way an alternator spins? I looked on my truck and the alternator spins clockwise but on my car it spins counter clockwise. This confuses me.
3) Are there kits out there that are complete with wiring harness? I have shop manuals, therefore schematics for the Toyota and Chrysler Alts that I have, so I could manufacture a harness. But it occurs to me that it might be cost effective to get a kit if there is such a thing. The time it would take to make a harness scares me but I can if I have to.
Ok enough for one post.
TIA
Dave

KISS Use a Delco one wire.

I do not believe it matter which way it spins, as long as the fan on the front of the alternator works correctly. I would definitely go with an internal regulated. Some people have had trouble with the one wire charging at low RPM's. I put the mini Hitachi on my H because the delco was larger.

A Delco SI12 series putting out 80 or more amps will do what you need. Put Bob M wiring on it (dont use a one wire system the 3 wire is very easy. Because ofthe winch the 12 series is needed, If no winch, a Hitachi from an 88 nissan PU is smaller and wires the same. Jim

OK, so the name "Delco one wire" implies that it only requires one wire to connect it? I'm assuming that means it really has 2 wires. One main battery lead and a single wire to power the field. Is this correct? If this is correct it sounds like a very easy installation compared to the Toyota alts that I have in stock, which have 5 wire connections.

Believe me! Go with Janicholson's post. He is recommending what you need. Look up the wiring by Bob M, get the alternator, and you'll be ready to go!

You are correct the "one wire" actually has two wires.

Most folks are not recommending these, but instead opt for the three wires, they are just about as easy to hook up. The five wires you are talking about might have external regulators. There are plenty of internal regulator units out there.

The Delco One Wire alternator uses only one wire. The ground is back through the frame. The voltage sense and excite connections are made internally in the regulator. Because of this the excite wire has a current draw even with the engine shut off. On some alternators this draw may be enough that you can have trouble starting the tractor if it sits a few weeks without being used. The current flowing through the excite terminal goes through the rotor windings an its way to ground. Since the current draw is so small the resulting magnetic field created in the rotor is also small. The smaller the magnetic field the faster the rotor must turn before it can begin to charge. One it begins to charge the alternator RPMs can be brought down to an idle and it will continue to charge.

The advantage of the single wire is that it the easiest to install, especially if you do not have to change the battery polarity. You can usually just take the wire from the A terminal of the generator and connect it to the alternator. Connect the Gen and Bat wire together at the regulator and you are set to go.

The disadvantages are that it always has a draw through the alternator and will shorten battery life if not used regularly. It also requires a higher RPM to start to charge, on some it may be near full throttle.

Thanks again guys for all the great info. I went ahead and bought the Delco 3 wire and got it installed today. I used the generator mount for a base and with a couple of pieces of steel, a little drilling and tapping and some threaded 3/8ths rod, in she went. All that's left is the wiring which I am pleasantly surprised to find, is going to be a piece of cake. I would still be pulling my hair out trying to manufacture a wiring harness for one of the Toyota alts if it wasn't for the help I got from you guys. Thanks again. By the way David G those 5 wires (if you don't count the BAT terminal it's 4 wires) are internally regulated. They have a wire for every function including separate wires for the Alt light and the voltage gauge. The circuit goes through 3 separate fuses! Whew!
Dave

You have the best solution, glad we could help. Run 8 gauge wire to the Winch. It will need it due to the long wires, and good draw of amps. I would use 8 ga on the alternator if it is an 80 amp unit! Jim

Ditto to what Owen said.