Technical 500 Giardiniera - Alternator?

[Damon500]

Hi,
I am about to rebuild a Giardiniera motor and I would like to convert it from a dynamo to an Alternator. Unfortunately I can't use a 126 one as it won't mount inside the cowling- has anyone had any experience with the dynamator conversions (alternator built into a dynamo housing)
I have seen these offered as a replacement for Lucas type generators and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with them?

 

[Bambino]

I'm currently rebuilding a very old Alfa Romeo and am upgrading the dynamo to an alternator. In order to preserve the external appearance, I bought a Dynalite alternator. I now have all of the advantages of an alternator in a casing that looks exactly the same as, and mounts the same as, my old dynamo. The only difference is that the pulley is slightly smaller because the alternators spin at a faster rate. This may be the way to go for your conversion.
Chris

 

[Damon500]

Hi Chris,
Thanks- good to hear that your fount of knowledge includes Alfas too! I also have that affliction although only have a single Alfa these days which is a 156 Sportwagon that I removed the Fiat engine from and converted to a proper Alfa V6 a few years back. I have built a few 'sleepers' over the years which are always fun - especially last week when a young P plater in a 2 litre Alfa spider decided to launch an impromptu traffic lights Grand Prix! I get the impression he wasn't expecting to have his doors blown off by a wagon with 2 baby seats in the back and a towbar...
Speaking of real Alfas though a Giulietta SS is still on my bucket list - hopefully I will be able to find one I can afford someday.
Back on topic the dynalite sounds just like what I need, did you buy it locally or have any recommendations where to purchase from?
I haven't been able to find any listings for a Giardiniera but should be able to adapt something as the fan is mounted on the front pulley.
If you would be able to measure length and diameter of yours I would appreciate it- hopefully by some fluke Marelli didn't get too creative with their dimensions!
Regards
Damon

 

[the hobbler]

Hi Damon;
There is a company here in the UK that specialise in rebuilding the internals of a dynamo as an alternator---I will try and find their name/address and pass it onto you.

 

[dragonwagon]

The fan speed will also increase with the smaller pulley...could cause some strange cooling issues.

 

[Bambino]

Speaking of real Alfas though a Giulietta SS is still on my bucket list - hopefully I will be able to find one I can afford someday.

Mine is an early 1957 Giulietta Spider - I've attached a photo of the stripped shell on its way to the local restorer. It needs a lot of work but it is restorable. An SS would be great, but their prices are approaching stratospheric. I know where there is a completely restored SS shell in the US but the owner wants a very large amount of cash for it. Guess we could always win Lotto

I got my Dynalite from Holden Vintage & Classic (www.holden.co.uk) and it is a replacement for a Lucas type generator. I'm not sure if they do Marelli cases, though I guess you could ask.

My old 500F generator is 245mm long and 93mm in diameter. It is a DSV 90 whereas you will need a D 90 for your car. The housing must be different.

Finally, I intend to fit the standard pulley on my Alfa Dynalite. I'm told that so long as it is rotating at about 1.5x engine speed, the charge rate will be OK.

Maybe Matt's Dad can help out here?

Chris

 

[the hobbler]

Morning Damon;
As promised, the details of the company that produce alternators that still look like dynamos (Dynalite).
Powerlite is the registered trade-mark of:-
Eurolec Components (Midlands) Ltd
Moor Street
Brierley Hill
Midlands DY5 3SU
UK [email protected]
Their sales manager is:- Julian Adams. I would suggest that he is contacted and asked if you could send him your dynamo and his company convert it to an alternator---nothing ventured/nothing gained.
Their Australian contact is:- CoolDrive in Victoria (although they do have branches in new Zealand) [email protected]
Hope this info is of help to you--keep us all advised as to outcome.

 

[Bambino]

My Dynalite was manufactured by PowerLite (www.powerlite-units.com) and marketed by the guys I purchased it from. You can just see the sticker in the photo.

Good luck with the conversion and please keep us posted.

Chris

 

[Damon500]

Hi everyone and thanks for the help!
I appreciate the contact hobbler as Eurolec haven't replied to my enquiry- will try again.
Thanks for the pics Chris- love the Alfa - is it LHD or converted to RHD?
One problem I can see is that Dynalites have a minimum diameter of 100mm which is 10mm too large for the pedestal. Would you be able to measure the case diameter please Chris?
I might use a shorter belt and pack more shims in the pulley to increase the speed- given that the 126 uses the same size pulley we shouldn't be too far away...
The major difference between the Giardiniera and Sedan generators is that the wagon doesn't have a fan drive at the rear- should make it easier to adapt something.
I was also looking at VW beetle alternators as an option- if anyone has aircooled experience or a stash of parts in the shed please let me know!

 

[Bambino]

Thanks for the pics Chris- love the Alfa - is it LHD or converted to RHD?
One problem I can see is that Dynalites have a minimum diameter of 100mm which is 10mm too large for the pedestal. Would you be able to measure the case diameter please Chris?

It's LHD - all of the short wheel base 750 series Giuliettas were LHD. The long wheel base 101 series from about 1959 onward did feature some RHD models. Either way, they are rare beasts now.
Oddly enough, Italy drove on the left up until WWII and on the right after. The Italians have always had a reputation as being 'heroic' drivers, so the swapover weekend must have been fun.

Now for the important stuff, my Dynalite is 104.75mm in diameter (4 1/8"). I wasn't aware of a minimum size.

Chris

 

[Damon500]

Thanks Chris,
I thought the 750s were LHD only - there seems to be some contention as to whether any Giulietta SS models were ever produced in RHD. I have seen some RHD conversions including a very crude one using a bicycle chain from one side to the other on a Giulietta SS that I have had my eyes on for several years...
Unfortunately the Giardiniera has a cast in support pedestal in the sump for the generator so size is critical. Buried in the Dynalite site is a statement that 100mm is their minimum diameter offered.
I have had a vague reply from them stating that the Giardiniera application is under evaluation and to stay in touch- when I queried on the 100mm figure I have received no reply...