axle half shaft driven alternator

[RussMcB]

My Kawasaki ZX-10R generator failed. On another forum someone suggested I use an axle driven alternator.

Anyone familiar with them? Pros, cons, costs? I've seen them on atlantics (& Zetecs?). I'd like to learn more, just to see if it is something I should consider.

TIA.

[kma4444]

I've used them on the driveshafts of GT1 cars. I like that setup.

I was looking at some big ol lawnmowers the other day and saw the tiniest Nippondenso alternators that would be awesome for that application.

[martyb]

We ran one for a couple of years when we had to remove the alternator for a trigger wheel on our Hayabusa-powered Super Production car. We just added a V-pulley to the driveshaft adapter from the Hayabusa output shaft, and used a small single wire alternator. Worked just fine, never had to charge the battery.

Marty

[RussMcB]

I wonder how many amps would be best for our application? This alternator on ebay is 35 amps:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nippo...QQcmdZViewItem

[Wright D]

Why and how did your ZX10 charging system fail? Was it just not up to the job, did the rectifier give up? The charging system that came on the bike should have plenty of power to run your car. On the bike it had to run all kinds of lights and even a fan, so it should be able to keep up with the demands of your car. That said, why add more complication to your car. You will have to add mounts, a belt, and a tensioning device. All these parts will add weight and cost, not to mention the addition of more parts that could fail.

If it were my car I would replace the zx10 charging system, and make sure that the regulator rectifier was in a place such that it gets plenty of cold air flowing over it. I would have a person who is an expert in bike charging systems check out all of my wiring to make sure that everything is good in that department as well.

These are of course my opinions; I am lazy and try really hard to avoid cutting and welding , so I prefer the zx10 charging system over the axle driven type.

[RussMcB]

Good points.

There was a flaw in the early 2004 ZX10 alternators. Something about a bad shim (see picture showing busted parts). There are dozens of posts about it in the ZX-10R.net internet forum. Kawasaki made a change mid year to fix the problem. I can replace the alternator, but they are expensive ($1,000+).

Luckiliy, I've got a spare engine. It's got a bent valve but a good alternator. :-).

[Wright D]

Well now that's a hores of a different color.

[Roux]

Russ,

if you need an axle driven alternator I got one with my project car and will sell it cheap. It drives off the tripod joint. Kind of heavy and in the air stream so would not be my first choice

Steve

[RussMcB]

Thanks, Steve. I'll pass. My best bet (as suggested above) is to use the motorcycle engine's alternator. I started this thread just to learn more about the pros and cons of axle driven chargers. Also, I posted it a few minutes after reading that Kawasaki sells new generators for around $1100! :-).

One concern I had about axle driven chargers: Seems they'd add HP drag when you wanted max HP.

[Charles Warner]

Russ,

That's the one I use on the Lola. It has been bulletproof with one failure in 10 years, and that was fixed at an alternator shop for $40. Steve Johnson had made a V pulley that mated to the CV joint.