<VV> Re: Delcotrons - some corvair

[Padgett]

>My 63 Chebby (full-sized) had an alternator

Hokay folks. All Delcotrons (R) are AC generators (as opposed to DC 
generators) in that they generate alternating current. The also have a 
diode bridge inside to convert the AC into a very noisy DC that uses the 
battery as a big capacitor to filter. In the 70's and 80's there were 
devices available to turn a Delcotron into a 110v ac source.

In general, ac generators are much lighter and more compact than dc. There 
is nothing new (even when the Corvair was introduced) about ac generators, 
in the late 1880s, Edison and Tesla were in massive competition about which 
would be used at Niagara Falls. See 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Currents . Am sure there will be more 
on the subject than you ever wanted to know available at this year's 
Convention.

Padgett