Chevy & GMC Vans

All,

Working on a science project with a friend of mine. We're using an alternator from the 92 Astro my wife wrecked to generate electricity. Something that I thought of is this: I know the alternator must turn a specific direction to work correctly. So which direction should it turn?

Looking at the front of the alternator, I am thinking it should turn clockwise.

Can someone with a 92 take a look at your van let me know please?

It's my understanding that they will generate electricity in either direction.

It's my understanding that they will generate electricity in either direction.

and that's straight from "Mr. Wizard"

don't guess you'd remember him though,,sorry.

Okie Dokie. I thought I recalled reading something somewhere that turning a GM alternator the wrong way would ruin it....

I remember "Mr. Wizard". I think he now lives in Evergreen, AL.

Clockwise, (as viewed from the front of the vehicle) on a '91

Thanks Jim. Should be the same on the 92 then. I think that is the way we have this thing set to turn.

Would this 'science project' happen to be something like a wind-powered electric source???

The only 'science projects' in my world are in Tupperware in the bottom of the 'frige.....

Nope. Human powered hydrogen production.

I remember "Mr. Wizard". I think he now lives in Evergreen, AL.

Ain't the one Skip, that's for sure. I'm laying laminate flooring at the house and I can't even figure out how to get the last piece under the door frame without pullng the trim off. Surely there's a better way.

I also don't think it matters. It's an AC generator. What kind of voltage are you planning on getting out?

I hope you mean DC voltage. We expect to see close to the rated power from it. 12+V and aroun d 85 amps I would think.

An alternator generates AC current and then passes it through a rectifier which changes it to DC. Normal range of power output is 13.6-14.2. You want a lot more....bypass the voltage regulator.

The voltage isn't that much of a concern. We've had success getting enough hydrogen using a very small battery charger producing 2-5amps.

NotDadsW41 wrote:The voltage isn't that much of a concern. We've had success getting enough hydrogen using a very small battery charger producing 2-5amps.

So after the experiment is over is there going to be a hydrogen powered coming up?