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10-06-2006, 08:02 PM #1
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- Eastern NC
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- Kubota B1550, several Exmark ZTRs, Walker GHS and a 1967 Craftsman Surburban
Generator vs. alternator
I am considering adding work lights to my B1550. I read on another thread that the newer tractors come with an alternator that will handle such additions rather than a generator. The wording implied to me that it was not a good idea to add additional lights to a generator.
Any body have any insight into this?
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10-06-2006, 08:47 PM #2
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- Jun 2003
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- 575
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- Western Illinois
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- 2016 B2650 ROPS, 1998 B2400 (sold!)
Re: Generator vs. alternator
As long as you don't exceed the output of your generator you shouldn't have any problems. Watts divided by volts= amps. ie.. 35 watt bulb divided by 12 volts=2.92 amp draw. Your system may put out slightly more voltage than 12 but this leaves a little margin for safety. Once you exceed your generators capacity, you begin a drain on the battery. This would be OK for short durations with charge time in betweem but it's best to avoid it. BTW, I believe your generators output is around 14A.
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10-06-2006, 09:14 PM #3
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- 49
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- N. Central Texas
Re: Generator vs. alternator
First of all an alternator is a generator that produces alternating current called AC. Old cars had what was called a generator and produced direct current called DC which fed the system to keep the battery up and supply other items with DC.
In a modern car the generator produces AC and it is then converted to DC through a rectifier using diodes. The system must have DC to operate. However the DC produced this way is not a flat voltage but is actually a pulsating DC which is smoothed out by the battery maintaining a steady voltage.
The reason cars and trucks went to AC generators is because the brushes now only need to sustain a field in the armature which is a lot less current [amperage] than what is needed in a DC generator. In a DC generator the brushes had to carry the full load of what was being produced and they would not last very long.
The term alternator came into common use to describe a generator which produces AC and then converts it to pulsating DC.
I hope this is not too much more than you wanted to know, but I know most people do not realize that an alternator is a generator going by a different name. Some modern parts list will still refer to the alternator as a generator.
I know this probably does not answer what you are trying to determine, but all modern generators are of the AC type because DC generators could not easily produce the needed wattage for today's applications.
What you need to determine is if your generator, or alternator if you prefer, can maintain the needs of your system as pointed out by B2400 in the previous reply.
DanielKubota B7500HSD, LA302 Loader, AG Tires, 60" MMM, Grass Catcher, 5' Box Scraper, Post Hole Digger, 4' King Kutter TG-48 Tiller, Middlebuster, Subsoiler.
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10-07-2006, 08:39 AM #4
Rest in Peace
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- Kubota B2710, IH TD6-62 dozer with Drott 4n1 bucket loader
Re: Generator vs. alternator
kubota refers to their stock 14 amp generator as a dynamo. No real difference. Both need the external rectifier. The 40 amp alternator option requires no extenal rectifier which is usually left mounted when the alternator is installed because it is difficult to remove.
My friends call me Mad, everyone else thinks I'm mad.
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10-09-2006, 07:42 AM #5
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- Mar 2006
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- South of Perth, Western Australia
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- Iseki TU155 Landhope
Re: Generator vs. alternator
Simple -
If they say it's a DYNAMO, then it's DC.
If they say it's an ALTERNATOR, it's AC.
If they say it's a GENERATOR, it could be either, depending whether the "generator" is a Dynamo or an Alternator.
How many of you have petrol generators that have AC (mains) outputs and have 12v (DC) outputs? That's just fine with a "Generator".
As long as you know what you want, don't worry if the dealer doesn't know what he is talking about - just remember it before believing him!
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10-09-2006, 07:59 AM #6
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- Dec 2003
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Re: Generator vs. alternator
Originally Posted by B2400
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10-09-2006, 08:16 AM #7
Re: Generator vs. alternator
[QUOTE=Chris_in_Oz]Simple -
If they say it's a DYNAMO, then it's DC.
If they say it's an ALTERNATOR, it's AC.
If they say it's a GENERATOR, it could be either, depending whether the "generator" is a Dynamo or an Alternator.
Just looked up on Wikipedia and they term a DYANMO as a device with a rotating magnet, which the Kubotas do come with and thus are not DC but AC verses an ALTERNATOR that has a rotating FIELD that has an intensity controlled by a voltage regulator. And I think the generators have the stationary field with the rotating windings with brushes carrying the charge current.
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10-09-2006, 08:25 AM #8
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Re: Generator vs. alternator
Originally Posted by Dan239
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11-25-2013, 03:22 PM #9
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- Jun 2013
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- Kalamazoo, MI
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- Kubota B1550 Wheel Horse D-180, John Deere LX277
Re: Generator vs. alternator
Not sure you ever got an answer. I'd like to know as well before I add work lights to my B1550. I think I may just put LED's on the top of my cab and install a switch between them and the headlights, which aren't much good anyway.
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11-25-2013, 08:35 PM #10
Re: Generator vs. alternator
My B2620 came with the 14.5 Amp Dynamo. Dealer added two front work lights and one rear and said I would be fine. But I did end up getting the 40A alternator installed since I will be doing lots of night time work and didn't want to take a chance of discharging the battery. Figured it was cheap insurance.