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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - '59 to '61 Generator

Does anyone have information concerning the current output and Lucas identification of a '58 to '61 generator? This is the one with the tachometer gearbox attached to the rear plate.
Thanks for any info.
jim merz 1

Jim - I think that it is 22 amps. Check on the T series BBS, there was a recent thread on there and Bob Jeffers gave the series number for the midget generator, saying that they are rated at 22 amps. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Jim - The exact thread with the information on the generator is "TD/Halogen headlamps" Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

I thught it was the later dynamo (generator) that produced 22 amps - the early ones only produced 18 amps.
Adrian

Adrian, which are "early" and which are "later" ones? Any significant ID stamped on the outside of the case?
jim merz 1

Thanks Dave.
jim merz 1

"Lucas C39 PV-2 extended drive dynamo" was written on the box, if that helps.
rob multi-sheds thomas

The one with a removable strap around the housing produced 19 Amps (theoretically)

Before I switched to an alternator from a 1975-1980 MG B (43 Amps) I always had to choose between lights and wiper with blower when it rained. Very tricky when it was raining after dark.
Bas Timmermans

The real question you need to ask is ...How far can you throw an earlier model generator into on-comming traffic of a major super highway, compared to a newer model....

The Answer:- It dosnt matter as long as the generator makes it way under the wheels of a vary large truck!!!

Altneators with a built in electronic regulators are the only way to go...yeah its a hassle to make the conversion, but the freedom, reliabliity, and benifits so out weigh the basic stupidity of a generator with a seperate mechanical regulator box with cutouts for adjustment using a glass pencil, and a brass screw-driver


prop
Prop

I was always told that it was a C40 which is what I fitted to my frog its has no coil on top and the tac is fixed to the rear of the C40.
montyshouse

Thank you for the C40 info.
jim merz 1

Hey jim merz 1,

where are you at in missori?....Im in Jefferson city.

prop
Prop

prop, I'm in the St Louis suburb of Chesterfield.
jim merz 1

ah cool,

Are you a member of the st. louis mg car club also, I consider both gyrf K. and DonG. John mangles and bruce morton good friends or at least people I really enjoy there company...do you hang out with them?

I have family in st. charles and ofallon...the next time Im up Ill give you a shout.

prop
Prop

In my Lucas book 1948 to 1962 the generator listed for the Austin Healey sprite 1959 to 1962 is 22700. 1962 on lists 22744. I checked 2 of my tach drive generators. One has the number 22265 E, C 39 V2 no visible date. The other is 22721 A, C40 DA 53 date code 4 62. I have others but these were the easiest to get to. I hope this helps. John
J Bubela

Thanks John, I copied all the info. Does your Lucas book provide any data about the amperage ratings of these generators? I am particularly interested in any that had more than 19 amps rating.
jim merz 1

I forgot to add that my interest is in any 22 or 25 amp generators have to have the rear tach drive as well. Thanks again.
jim merz 1

The MGA and the Spridget generators were the same basic unit. I haven't heard of different outputs and the internal parts of the above cars are the same. The armature and field coils have the same part number so I don't know how the same size unit will produce more amps as the regulators also share the same part numbers. I haven't taken one apart lately, but I think the end plate is the only difference, but possibility the armature shaft may be different. John Twist of University Motors may have some answers.
J Bubela

Jim -

Neither the Lucas or the BMC parts books give the output for the various models - the BMC Workshop Manuals often do.

The Frogeye and early Mk II Sprite/Midget were all fitted with the C39 PV2 generator with the part no. 22265E. The output of this was a nominal 19 amps.

From HAN6 7499/GAN1 3491, this was changed to a C40 dynamo with the part no. 22721A (retaining the rev counter drive). The C40 had a nominal output of 22 amps.

This generator was fitted until the change to the 1098cc engine in October 1962, when the rev counter drive was no longer needed. The C40 then fitted had the part no. 22742A/B.

(These numbers are taken from the detailed Lucas 'Equipment and Spare Part Details' catalogues issued yearly for Austin/BMC models.)

Of the two rev counter drive dynamos I have to hand, one is on a C39 and the other a C40. The endplates are different - and not just because the low-current connection to the C40 uses a Lucar connector, not a threaded post as on the C39. They are quite different castings, and the C39 is in cast iron and the C40 is alloy (and has broken ... Grrr!). How interchangeabe they may be I have yet to try.

Of higher-rated C40s, I have what was sold to me as a late Mini-Cooper 'S' dynamo with increased output and better bearings ... this has the part no. 22775D, but I have always been a little doubtful about it. Peter Browning in his 'Works Minis' book gives a build sheet for a 1071 'S' using a '28 amp with special bearings' C40 that has the part no. 22746 - but that may have been a Comps Dept special.

Tom
Tom Coulthard

Drop the mechanical driven tach and take 1975-1980 MGB Lucas 18 ACR alternator with 43 Amps. That will leave you with no choice between wipers and lights when its raining and dark:-)

Its just another bracket and some fidling with the electrical bits and consider a polarity switch at the same time. One of the better mods I did to my 1063 Midget MK I.

Bas
Bas Timmermans

Thank you for the difinitive information, Tom.
jim merz 1

Tom,

It is possible to weld those parts, I've welded a couple in the past that have broken across the mounting hole. No electronic bits to fry either.
David Billington

This thread was discussed between 14/07/2008 and 24/07/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.