ok, someone was asking about the alternators and how you tell a 60 amp from
a 90 amp. i dimly remembered seeing something in my junkpile (most folks
call it a "house") that related to that. so i started look. found it in only
the 2nd pile i looked in. :)

here's what Bosch says about its alternators.

Explanation of Type Codes
In addition to the 10-digit Bosch part number (which for alternators, always
starts with 012...),
a type code is stamped on all alternators. These codes can be interpreted
with the help of the following example:

Type Code Example:    K X () 14V 35A 20

K - housing outer diamter:
      G = 100...109mm
      K = 120...139mm
      T = 170...199mm
      U = more than 200mm

X - 1 = claw-pole alternator
      2 = single-pole alternator
      3 = generator with permeable rotor
      4 = claw-pole alternator with exciter

() - (->) or R  =  clockwise
      (<-) or L  =  counterclockwise
      (<->) or RL = either direction
(direction, as seen looking onto the driven side of the alternator (on
models incorporating their own rotor bearings)).

14V - alternator voltage in Volts.

35A - maximum current in Amperes
    (the indicated alternator voltage (7v, 14v, 28v, etc) should not be
confused with the nominal voltage. the indicated value, which appears on the
name plate, is the nominal working voltage. it is the approximate average of
the charging voltages required for various types of batteries and operating
conditions. in contrast, the nominal voltage is the standard battery-voltage
(i.e., circuit voltage when alternator is NOT running). nominal voltage
ratings (e.g., 6v, 12v, 24v, etc) are commonly used to identify starters and
electric accessories which are operated at this voltage.

20 - speed (rev/min) in hundreds at 2/3 max. current (20 = 2000rpm)

hope that helps somebody. :)

joel