Hi everyone, been looking at a problem I'm going to have on the 1954 8T No.12 Motor Grader. 12v 35amp Generator.; The previous owner stated the 35amp generator was insufficient to keep up with the draw from newer 12v lighting system and it over taxes the charging system.
I know there is a limit to Gen gear RPM vs Gen output and can actually go backwards on Amperage charge.

What is the largest amp generator can I get for the 8T No.12
OR would it be better to
use two deep cycle 12v in series and go to LED lighting ?
Will using LED lessen the heavy draw on the system.
I know it sound dumb but I am not that familiar with the LED lighting tech

Thanks

35-40 Amp Generator is about as big as it gets. Is it actually putting out the amperage?
Should be more than enough. LED lights use a fraction of conventional lighting requirements. Prices are all over the map but can get pricey for LED's. Whether running 12V or 24v, parallel or series,battery capacity needs to be 1000 amp for cranking.

While LEDs do use less power individually they make up for it by cramming more of them in. A 12v 200w LED light bar on your 4x4 still uses the same Amps as two of the old 12v 100w spotlights.

What does the new lighting system consist of? If you replace the old lights with similar size LED versions it will be fine. If you start putting 50inch light bars on it you are going to run into trouble fairly quickly...

leds are more efficient and will lower the power draw provided your staying with the same or slightly higher actual light output. note i said light output not wattage. light is measured in lumens, lux or candle power

or you could fit a gnerator thats been converted to a alternator often called a gene-nator there is a bloke in the states that does this you send him a generator that fits your equipment and he converts it or he can source one and then convert it.

is that generator actually putting out 12v 35 amp or is it a old 6volt unit being made to work at 12v. if it made to work at 12 volt it will only be around16 amp remember doubling voltage halves the current.

you can also do what i am and gut the generator make a new 3 inch longer shaft have it keyed to take the drive gear, use the generator housing as a adapter to support the shaft, fit a 4inch taper lock pulley to the other end of shaft which now protrudes past the end of housing and mount a alternator above it this give the required speed increase and ample power.

Thanks for the input .. been busier than a one armed man in a wallpaper contest. makes sense NOW ....check the generator output ....Thanks everyone

FYI... the gas tank had water rust gunk hanging at the bottom..The gas tank took some flushing but after several minutes in the parts cleaner and a five minute bath in muriatic acid - n she sparkles now..
should be able to work on it for a few tomorrow....Carrb cleaned n new meddle, seat and gaskets, New 30w for pony. ... fresh leftover 10w-40 for pony oilbath; .Hi-Test gas
I should be able to fir it off for the first time tomorrow ... If all goes well.


Thanks again everyone.