The beginning.

After much research and reading various web sites that detail the making of an onboard DC welder, I decided that now was the time to make my own.

I started by initiating the search for a high output Delco or Motorola alternator. The most likely spot to find one was the local "Pick and Pull" yard here in Reno. I found various Delco’s with 70 to 100 amp alternators from Cadillac’s and other GM cars. I also found a couple of Motorola alternators with 70 to 100 amp ratings, which may have been enough to weld with but just barely.

Just as I was about to give in and buy the brand new looking rebuilt 100-amp Delco from a junked Caddy, I spotted a row of taxis that hadn’t been there before and distracted me enough that I had to go look at them just to be looking.

When I opened the hood of the first one, I spotted something that I couldn’t identify at first but looked strangely familiar. The alternator was huge and looked very similar to the Mean Green alternators that are being advertised everywhere.

I decided to pull the alternator out and look for a data plate or some sort of identification. One of the first things I noticed was that the positive wire was huge. It also had a huge ground wire that attached to the manifold. Needless to say I was getting excited at this point.

Once the alternator was out, I wiped off the grease and an identification sticker appeared.

There it was, 120 amps!

Not only did I find 1 gem in the ruff but I was also standing at the first of five identical taxis. Each taxi had the exact same Chrysler 120-amp alternator!

I bought them all!

The alternators have a small metal tag on them with the numbers: 5233199 and 16276

Let the work commence......  

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