Farm Equipment - alternator pulley config for use with power steer

alternator pulley config for use with power steer

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=160993
Printed Date: 25 Oct 2025 at 5:35pm
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Topic: alternator pulley config for use with power steer

Posted By: Matt WI WD45
Subject: alternator pulley config for use with power steer
Date Posted: 14 May 2019 at 4:05pm

Hi folks...

Looking at switching the WD45 I bought last fall to 12V.

The PO had it set up for 8V and the battery was pretty well shot an don't feel like investing in a new 8V battery.

12V conversion in non-power steering applications seems pretty straight forward.

Looking at my setup with the power steering, looks like the alternator fan would be right where the PS belt comes close to the generator (looks like it almost runs between the generator pulley and the generator.

What's the solution? Run without the alternator fan for this relatively low current draw application? Machine up or cobble together a pulley extension that will space the pulley out about an inch from the fan? Rig up a PTO-driven alternator? ;)

Matt

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Nuubie, WD45 Quick-change front-end, ps, AC500 front loader

Replies:

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 14 May 2019 at 4:08pm

I've done many D-17's without an alternator fan for the same reason and have never had any issues.

Posted By: joelsplace
Date Posted: 14 May 2019 at 5:44pm

If you keep the battery on a maintainer like a Battery Minder it will take a lot of the load off the alternator if it sits much between use and your battery will last a lot longer.

Posted By: DSeries4
Date Posted: 15 May 2019 at 11:21am

Keep your old generator, just get it rewired for 12 volts. I have done that with mine. A local auto electrical shop can do that, or give it to Steve at B&B.

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'49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080

Posted By: DougS
Date Posted: 15 May 2019 at 12:21pm

Take the fan off, as Doc suggested. If the alternator is only going to charge the battery and run the lights and ignition, you won't need the cooling from the fan anyway.