Thread: What is the best Alternator for out vehicles?

I haven't seen anyone suggesting a particular alternator, almost anything could be adapted.

I'd be sticking with a dynamo (generator) for originality if it was a Series I. Unless it was a daily driver with lots of night time driving or lots of electrical accessories fitted.
I've heard people tell of problems with dynamo's but personally never had an issue years back in the UK, on cars or motorcycles. Recently overhauled one from my IIa GS.

My own Series I has an early alternator with a separate diode pack, fitted years back by a previous owner. If it ever plays up I'd be tempted to fit a dynamo back in it's place.

Here's an alternator that looks like a dynamo, you might want to speak to your Bank Manager first.....
Land Rover Series 1 2 2a Alternator Dynamo Dynamator 45 Amp Negative Earth | eBay

Colin

I put a Britpart alternator onto my series 3 engine. THe laternator is a direct swap for a generator and I had to reuse the old generator pulley.

Personally unless you need more power than the generator can produce, i would stick with the generator. They are far more reliable and rarely if ever give trouble. But if you have high electrical loads you will need to change it.

The other popular conversion alternator is a Holden 6 with inbuilt regulator. These are a little harder to make fit the engine and you will need to modify the brackets. These alternator can have very high outputs and come in different quality depending upon the price paid.

Ian
Bittern

My experience is that "dynamos" or generators are more troublesome than alternators, especially the Lucas ones. In particular, if you live in a dusty area, you probably need to at least halve the interval for oiling the rear bush on the generator, or replace it with a ball or roller bearing.

I replaced the generator on my 2a after the second one failed in two years - and have replaced the alternator twice in the subsequent 25 years. (repairable, but easier to replace)

But having said this, for a Series 1, I would stick to the generator for originality.

My reason for considering installing an Alternator is that I have electronics ignition insulated in my Series 1, and I find that if I use the headlights, I get a persistent miss due to volt drop from the headlights. To me, that suggests the generator may not be working correctly, and if I need to overhaul that, then I might as well upgrade to a 3 wire alternator rather than waste time and money of the old technology.

regards
jeff

Originally Posted by jedwards

My reason for considering installing an Alternator is that I have electronics ignition insulated in my Series 1, and I find that if I use the headlights, I get a persistent miss due to volt drop from the headlights. To me, that suggests the generator may not be working correctly, and if I need to overhaul that, then I might as well upgrade to a 3 wire alternator rather than waste time and money of the old technology.

So you have an old technology vehicle but don't want to waste time & money on old technology........

Overhauling a dynamo is usually low cost unless you have to pay someone else to do it. Usually brushes to be replaced, commutator machined and a bush to replace. It could just be that the regulator box needs adjustment.

If you do switch to an alternator keep the dynamo, if you ever sell the vehicle it could be useful to the next custodian.


Colin

You could throw just about anything in it - I seem to end up with old Bosch 35 and 50 amp units I find here and there and have put those in Series vehicles before. Probably have one or two sitting in the shed still.

A 'sort of' related issue I saw a few months ago. I was visiting an auto electrician (Nippon Denso alternator, don't ask!) and was intrigued to see a fully restored 1920s Austin Seven in the yard. I asked him what it was there for, he told me the battery keeps going flat - he's pretty sure that issue is simply that it has a generator, and spends its life as a 'conversation piece' sitting in front of a real estate agent, and is only driven a few blocks to and from there to home each day.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

A 'sort of' related issue I saw a few months ago. I was visiting an auto electrician (Nippon Denso alternator, don't ask!) and was intrigued to see a fully restored 1920s Austin Seven in the yard. I asked him what it was there for, he told me the battery keeps going flat - he's pretty sure that issue is simply that it has a generator, and spends its life as a 'conversation piece' sitting in front of a real estate agent, and is only driven a few blocks to and from there to home each day.

I remember when cars were switching over to alternators, one of the selling points was that a dynamo needed a few revs before it started charging whereas an alternator would charge at tickover.
Bikes I ran had magnetos for ignition so the dynamo was only used for lighting. I also had a few Austin Somersets and never had problems with dynamos. Also ran Imps & a Mini but so long ago I can't even remember whether they had dynamos or alternators now.

If it's using a dynamo and not used much the current drain for starting isn't topped up so keep it on a trickle charger in the garage or take it for a decent run.

With a Series I's originality is becoming very important if it comes up for sale so, as mentioned earlier, if changing to an alternator keep the dynamo to hand.....


Colin