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MG TD TF 1500 - Alternator inside generator casing?

Good afternoon all:

I've tried to find the previous thread on the topic, but have not been successful, so please forgive me.

One of the mods that I'd like to try is to run the whole car on 12v neg. ground with an alternator.

Now I half-remember that in a previous conversation somewhere last year someone said that there was a fellow in the UK who was building alternators inside original TC/TD/Tf generator casings. Given this, I'd like to retain the tach drive off the back, thus it would be important to have an original casing.

So does anyone have a name/address/email/company telephone number of where such a beast can be procured? Or perhaps some company in N. America that might be doing such a conversion - I tried the Hemmings ads, but nobody seems to have any Brit experience.

Thanks, and hello from sunny and warm [91 fahrenheit!] Alberta,

Dave Jorgensen
Dave Jorgensen

I recall a very high price tag on that ($600) and limited amps output. IF you are interested in a modern (110 amp output) one with mechanical tach drive, let me know.

John
John Redman

Dave - I believe this is the one you're referring to:

http://www.racemettleltd.co.uk/dyn.html

Only 40 Amps output, and kind of pricey, but it sure does look stock. Best wishes - - Alec
Alec Darnall

Dave - Here are a cuple of contacts in England. As John stated, they are quite expensive, i believe that his $600 USD estimate may be on hte low side.

I ran into a chap at Stoneleigh last year that puts alternators into T-Series generator shells including the rev-counter take-off. He had several on his stand and they looked to be quite professional and undistinguisable from the original generator.

He didn't have a web-site,(Sorry, no name)so contact :-

Classic & Vintage Dynamos
Unit 7, Shirebrook Business Centre
Vernon Court
Vernon Street
Shirebrooke
Nottinghamshire NG20 8SP
UK

tel:- 011 44 01623 747666

and

Alternator conversion for T series cars
SC Parts Group Ltd., 14, Cobham Way, Gatwick Road, Crawley, West Sussex, England. RH10 9RX. Tel +44 (0) 1293 84 72 00. enquiries@scparts.co.uk www.scparts.co.uk
The one you need is the one they sell for a Mk 1 Sprite - it has the tacho drive. If you are not bothered about the alternator looking like a dynamo then Motobuild do a conversion of a routine auto alternator to take the tacho.
Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Dave Dubois,

I think the words " ... I ran into a chap ... " etc, above, were lifted directly from my entry earlier this year on this subject - plagerism?? hmmm ... Caught in the act!

As far as I know Classic & Vintage Dynamos doesn't yet have a web-site.

Without any explanation, this guy could put an alternator into the shell of a TA/TB or TC generator, all of which have a rev-counter take-off gearbox attached, but couldn't do it for a TD/TF. Seems to me like he's missing the major part of the market.

As far as I know, the tach gearbox for the Mk I Sprite and the TD/TF are quite different ratios, otherwise we'd all have been using the Sprite tacho gearbox at half the price on our TD/TFs, long ago. So I think an alternator in a Sprite Mk I generator shell is a no-go. I've got a Sprite Mk I tach gearbopx somewhere in a box of unsorted junk in my shed. Maybe its time to have a look.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

I am restoring my TF and need to decide what to do. I read in my book that the orig generator puts out 19 amps. Can anyone tell me about how many amps a TF uses with headlights and heater on , for example. If I convert to elec ignition , will it use even more? I would like to stick with original (looking at least) but don't like dead batteries either. (Even though I have a lifetime battery from the 70's that I keep replacing courtesy of Exide.)
Keith Murphy

This thread was discussed between 23/07/2006 and 24/07/2006

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