Gen to Alt. Conversion help
- Thread starter Rovernut
- Start date
Is it positive or negative earth? That's the first question. Also, what type of alternator do you want? Do you want to stick with Lucas, or go with the more common Delco? If it's positive earth and you're going delco, it's much simpler. All you need to do is bypass the voltage regulator, and find a place to connect the sensing wire. You don't want it engergised all the time though, so connected via a relay wired to the starter circuit works, or with a diode to prevent it from bleeding off the charge through the alternator. It's actually easier to convert from a dynamo than a lucas alt because you need the dynamo braket for the Delco.
Negative ground and looking at a Delco. The two links I've found online are different methods. Both on www.lrfaq.org , not sure which is the best method tho leaning towards the one that uses existing harness and bypasses the reg by connecting wires together. (entitled "Installing an alternator"). BTW, I installed a brand new wiring harness. Which method do you think is best?
I'd go with Alan Richter's instructions. He's sharp on electronics. I was actually looking for his to send you the link, but had to leave for work. LOL
Twice I have tried to install a Delso 10si on my Series III. Using the stock mounting, it drops in between the block and the engine mount in such a way that there is no movement possible to tighten up the belt. (Don't see how others have done it.) However, Robert Davis has developed a bracket that relocates the alternator to a slightly higher location. The Delco units are cheap, universally available and put out between 70 and 110 amps, depending upon which you chose. The Lucas 16ACR only makes 37 amps on its best day. The 18ACR only gets to 45 - maybe.
Checked out Allen's post on the subject. A bit confused about one thing.....the out put from the alternator is to be hooked up to one side of the ammeter, mine has no ammeter. From studying the schematics, could the output wire be hooked to the brown wires at the old reg.? these wires go directly to the starter and on to battery. At the starter, they jumper directly on to the battery.
I think the old box is just abandoned. The brown wire from the alternator output goes to the 'hot' side of the starter relay. (You'll want at least 10 gauge, preferably 8 for this.) Another wire goes from there to the battery hot. Diodes in the alternator keep the battery from draining back down through the alternator when everything is off.
If you hook things up wrong, you'll "let the smoke out." 'Smoke' is what drives all Lucas electrics. Once it's gone, nothing works. ;-)
If you hook things up wrong, you'll "let the smoke out." 'Smoke' is what drives all Lucas electrics. Once it's gone, nothing works. ;-)