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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - dynamo -v- alternator - time to switch?

any views on this? what are the benefits / disbenefits of switching from dynamo to alternator?
Mothy

Tim. There is a reason that modern cars all use an alternator. Better charging at lower engine rpms, greater output, etc. If you are currently negative ground, the switch to an alternator is an excellent idea.

Les
Les Bengtson

Mothy,

I dont want to sound duff but I think 25% of the archive is spent on this discussion:-)

There is no con except for originality. And maybe finding a solution for a mechanical driven tach if your car still has one.

Pro's are numerous: real charging power (from 20 Amps to >40 Amps!), dumping the voltage regulator, easy conversion to neg earth, the whole conversion is easy and the parts are well available.

Bas
Bas Timmermans

I think this is where we need a wiki or FAQ. I know that _I_ want an alternator, but only by asking on here in the last couple of days have I learnt that I need a mini or metro alternator and a new rear bracket, but the pulley alignment should be fine. At least that's what I've learnt so far. I believe I already know how to wire one up and get rid of the regulator box, but if I'd not done lots of vehicle wiring before then solving that jigsaw is a complex job too. A Wiki could describe the pros and cons, list the viewpoints, and say how to actually go about doing each of the options it presents. The problem, I suspect, is getting a concensus of opinion and knowledgable people to volunteer to write it in the first place.

Ant
Ant Allen

Ant

Great idea, lets do it. But we will need a ref / editor as one topic can some times end in ten opposed views, would be happy to add to the Wiki
Alex Sturgeon

Ant I suspect you are right; getting anyone to write anything seems to be a major stumbling block. I've whacked in a few headings to see how it works but I note everyone else is studiously silent :-(
David Smith

My standard 1275 was refitted with the original dynamo when I did my rebuild five years ago. Thought I'd try it first and maybe switch to an alternator if I had problems.

No problems at all thus far - but the charging system and battery are kept in tip-top condition; and perhaps more importantly, I don't run any extras that place additional heavy demand on the system (apart from an electric fan) - no extra lights, no electronic ignition, no CD player etc.

And it all looks original - if that's important.
Steve Clark

Not everyone David
I started an item on type 9s to suit the heading. I am waiting for further input

OK here's the deal

For Ant and others I will write up the alternator from dynamo article if anyone likes

I have a few wiring diagrams etc that can be of some help can they be put in or do I need to host them for a friendly URL to take care

Then I will put it in the WikiTobia

Thoughts?

Tim, originality is the only thing as Bas says, what is your take on it?

Alternators can be sourced from BL Cars or generally Fords of the eighties/nineties lots about and wiring is very simple. Fiesta is a fit or sometimes the front and rear brackets need swinging around to align the swivels and adjusters.

Piece of cake!

I'll put it in the WikiTobia, how to do that.
Bill

you can tell I don't frequent the technical boards that much - I hadn't realise this was such a hot topic! I'll go away and read the wiki ... sorry, archive ... lol
Mothy

better make it the archive (best of luck!)

WikiTobia isnt wrote yet

Bill

in answer to your question Bill, I had an alternator on Holly (the midget that went to Denmark), but originality was never a factor there. Sebrina's dynamo has stopped working today, so just pondering whether to make the switch now
Mothy

So the big question is

The Sebring is quite an old conversion IIRC

back in the days when...

So just how important is it to you that it's the way it was when W&P or whoever done the fitment

You can buy Alternators that LOOK just like the original dynamo (should be a link here but I cant remember who the are...) but omgiod how expensive are they! (Ans: VERY)

And the control box can be adapted to look original from the outside (may Dr John forgive me after most of a year in Mascot explaining how they work)

Or with eight quid and a scrapyard alternator you can have one like many of ours.

40 or more amps with a short loom adaptation.
Bill

Just a spanner in the works... Tim's Midget is POSITIVE Earth (ground).

Mark.
Mark T. Boldry

Not a surprise Mark

so was mine once

an easy fix, but will need a friend to supply him with an early-ish negative earth tacho to make it easy
Bill

oddly I put an early neg earth tacho on the 'bay yesterday-ish. Just search for Midget rev counter.
And Bill I've a good conversion diagram for Dyn-to-Alt I was sent by one of the 'murricans a while back, can I email it over to you? (and no I don't yet know how to put images in the Wiki but it is possible - Tobes where are you??)
David Smith

David I'll be happy to receive the diagram

pop it on chef82 and I will save it with my archived (izzat a big word?)techy diagrams, I have saved all of those I drew this year to illustrate the occasional topics.

When I really play with the WikiTobia I wil find out for my self whether we can post pictures

We ought to be able if the Wiki is going to be of use

W---pedia has inlaid pictures in places after all

So do we agree we can do this and simply use it to augment the BBS rather than displace it (how could it?) So much of most of us in here anyway, we couldnt lose that could we?
Bill

Bill. My website is available for such things as this, either as an additional reference or as a sole reference.

When an alternator is installed, the system should be negative ground. I have heard of positive ground alternators, but have never seen such a system myself.

Negative ground has become the de facto standard in modern cars. A negative ground conversion is not a significant problem for cars originally delivered in a positive ground configuration.

The only reason to run a dynamo/generator, today, is on a show car where "points" may be deducted for "lack of originality".

For a daily driver, as all of my cars are, a negative ground, alternator equipped system is the way to go.

Les
Les Bengtson

http://www.powerlite-units.com/dynalite.htm are the company that provide the alt in a dyno package.

I have one of their starters and am most impressed.
Toby Anscombe

Just an additional plus point for a Dynamo, you can add a field suppressor, on a switch, which adds 1/2 or maybe 1 HP by reducing the driven load on the engine (the dynamo freewheels without charging!)

Handy if you're head to head with a Sp**fire down the A road!

Andy
(Even better if you're being chased by a Messerschmitt!)
a borris

Sorry. Silly joke.

Andy
a borris

There's also a really clear "how to" on changing over to an alternator on the Minispares site.

Might be worth asking if we can use it for the Wiki. (bl**dy stupid name!)

Andy
a borris

IIRC 'Wiki' means something like 'quick'

A
Anthony Cutler

Wiki,

The word always make me smeirk, Its just a brain flash of a thought in the back of my mind of an image of a green furry little creature that only says, "Wiki-Wiki" Lol.

prop
Prop

I always think "Hawaii" and "book him, Danno"!

Andy
a borris

very helpful link Toby, thanks - their site has links to some suppliers with other useful little electronic bits (buzzers, multi-connectors) that I've been after for a while.

will mull over the conversion issue and let you know, folks.
Mothy

Jeeves and Wooster . . .

'Down in Nagasaki
Where the fellas chew tabaccy
And the women wiki waki wooooooooo'
Nick

I had an dynamo set up for 15years with no problems, in five years of altinator mode i'm on my 2nd one. A lot to be said for leave it alone unless you really need to change it.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

There is a weight saving on switching to a Lucas ACR alternator. I have seen some alternator conversions that would have been better on a small truck and guess that there is no weight saving in those instances.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

update - decided it was simpler to fix rather than switch for now ...
Mothy

Just wondering why Bill would want to write about dynamos and alternators and stick it on here: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Wikitobia
Paulgertie

oh

did I?


I do now have lots of different ways of doing an essentially easy task, thanks to my collaborators, but I cant say I ever thought of fitting an alternator to a wasp...
Bill

Hi Mothy,
I just have order a new 60 amp alternator and I will try the convertion on my GAN1.

I also have order a servobrake to help my wife to drive the car.
laurent
ld derancourt

This thread was discussed between 23/12/2008 and 09/01/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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