MTFCA Forum

Decades ago, there was a guy in California who advertised in The Vintage Ford, a service where he offered 12 volt generators for Model T's. He apparently used a late 1950's Ford 12 volt generator that he adapted to a Model T front plate and as I recall it was gear driven, like an original T generator. Does anyone remember this guy and his business? Is he still in business?

They were made by Randy Johnson, Lincoln, Ca. I have had two of them for over 30 years. They have been pretty much trouble free. Several years ago one of them quit charging. Turned out to be a broken brush spring. Spring from a stock Model T generator fit right in. I had to replace the bearings in the other one last year. He has not made them for several years.

Thanks for your reply, John. Randy is the guy I remember in The Vintage Ford ads. I have a 12 volt alternator but was thinking that if Randy still made these conversions, I would buy one as they look more like an original T alternator.

Back when Randy was making these, the alternators had not been on the market yet. The only down side is the large voltage regulator that you have to mount and hide some where.

Why not just replace the 6 volt cut out with all the ones available online 12 volt single input and reset the the 3rd brush on the original generator? Easy to do. Google is a tool in the toolbox too.

Just Sayin’

Why not just replace the 6 volt cut out with all the ones available online 12 volt single input and reset the the 3rd brush on the original generator? Easy to do. Google is a tool in the toolbox too.

Back in the mid 1980's the solid state regulators for the 3 brush generator were not being made. Today that would be the way to go to keep the original look.

I've got a 6 volt and a 12 volt alternator I could use depending on whether I go 6 or 12 volt. i was just looking for something that looked more "period" than an alternator.

Terry did you get my email?

JTT3 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 06, 2025 10:47 pm

Terry did you get my email?

I don't recall. Do you want to try, again, and I'll look for it?

Terry this is what I sent you. Scroll down once you open to find generators/alternators

https://www.buckeyeautoelectric.com/model-t-parts