Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello all,

I nearly made it through to winter storage without a major problem
this year until this morning. On the way to work, the ignition light
came on and stayed on and I noticed that the Amp meter was only
showing a drain. Then I started to hear a bad noice fromt he engine
bay. On inspection I see that that generator is the source of the
noise. I must be gone.

Now the quesiton I have is, can I still drive it home (about 25 miles)
or am I going to do some additional damage to the car? Also, any one
know of a good source for a rebuilt generator?

Thanks.

David
Helsinki, Finland
1970 +2S

David

The usual problem with generators is the brushes but the effect is lack of
charge not untoward noises.

There should be enough power in the battery for your journey home as long as
you don't need headlamps, wipers etc.

If the noise you hear is coming from the dynamo then bearing or mechanical
failure is a possibility but another source of noise might be the bulkhead
mounted regulator chattering/buzzing if that or the wiring has a fault.

Ian Phillips


-----Original Message-----
From: david_c_w [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 7:45 AM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Generator Gone and driving




Hello all,

I nearly made it through to winter storage without a major problem
this year until this morning. On the way to work, the ignition light
came on and stayed on and I noticed that the Amp meter was only
showing a drain. Then I started to hear a bad noice fromt he engine
bay. On inspection I see that that generator is the source of the
noise. I must be gone.

Now the quesiton I have is, can I still drive it home (about 25 miles)
or am I going to do some additional damage to the car? Also, any one
know of a good source for a rebuilt generator?

Thanks.

David
Helsinki, Finland
1970 +2S

David,

Drive it home. Try not to worry.

Your battery should last long enough (provided it was fully charged to
begin with) to power (just) the ignition for 25 miles - no problem. Avoid
other battery loads: No lights, wipers, windows, etc. Avoid use of power
seats, air conditioning, DVD player, ... never mind. If you can bump start
the car (slight hill in front of you?), do it. Keep whatever electrons that
are left in the battery available for charging the coil (the only real load
needed to keep the engine running).

The one thing I would worry about is overheating. If the generator seizes
(unlikely, but possible), you fan belt may fail to turn the water pump.
Watch you temperature gauge as you drive those 25 miles. Stop at any sign
of overheating.

You should have no problem driving home. Dealing with the defective
generator (and voltage regulator?) is another issue.

Rich Boyd


At 11:45 PM 11/14/2004, you wrote:

Probably too late for the drive home, but my generator made a horrible noise
a while back. It had come loose and the fan blades on it were hitting the
dip stick tube. Re-adjusting the generator and tightening the mounts fixed
it. A bit of loctite added and no problem since.

Something to check.

Rob LaMoreaux
Ann Arbor, MI USA
(734)-971-5583
Cell (734)-604-9280
Email: ***@***.***
Too many Hobbies.... Too Little Time
1969 Lotus Elan....It's not a restoration, it's a never-ending adventure.

Gidday Rob,
Take the advice of an ol' campaigner, throw the generator as far as you canpreferably from a tall bridge or into very deep water. The Lucas set up isantiquated and crap.
Take you Elan to an Auto electrician who can fit a replacement 'alternator' also change the battery polarity - also radio or any accessories.
Which alternator I hear you say, any I reply. One piece of advice for fitting a replacement unit, use a solid nut and bolt type bracket to the base but on the top bracket rubber mount the support end, simply set up a stepped rubber bush either side of the bracket to absorb vibration. Really it is a case of fit and forget.
See ya, Les

----- Original Message -----
From: rob_lamoreaux
To: ***@***.*** ; 'david_c_w'
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 12:44 PM
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Generator Gone and driving


Probably too late for the drive home, but my generator made a horrible noise
a while back. It had come loose and the fan blades on it were hitting the
dip stick tube. Re-adjusting the generator and tightening the mounts fixed
it. A bit of loctite added and no problem since.

Something to check.

Rob LaMoreaux
Ann Arbor, MI USA
(734)-971-5583
Cell (734)-604-9280
Email: ***@***.***
Too many Hobbies.... Too Little Time
1969 Lotus Elan....It's not a restoration, it's a never-ending adventure.

I have thought before about the alternator conversion, but I don't
think I can find anyone here in Helsinki that can do the job properly
and it seems a bit daunting to undertake on my own. Plus, until
yesterday I really have not had any problems with the electical system
and the battery has been charging just fine.

Not sure if it is worth it.

David

--- In ***@***.***, "Les Mellor" <Les.Mellor@b...> wrote:

Lucas set up is antiquated and crap.

accessories.

to the base but on the top bracket rubber mount the support end,
simply set up a stepped rubber bush either side of the bracket to
absorb vibration. Really it is a case of fit and forget.

The Generator in my car isn't crap, the regulator for it is another story.

I almost put the alternator that came with the weber engine I bought in my
car last summer but my mechanic friend who has been working on British cars
for 30+ years felt it would be less reliable than the generator. So I
adjusted the regulator to fix my charging problem and everything is working
fine now. I have other things I would rather spend money on at the moment,
so I won't be buying a new alternator for a while, but some day I am sure I
will put an alternator in.

Oh and being an electrical engineer working in the auto industry I am well
aware of the advantages and disadvantages of generators and alternators.
Generators are making a comeback in the auto industry, but they are usually
42volt or higher with semiconductor regulators.

Rob LaMoreaux
Ann Arbor, MI USA
(734)-971-5583
Cell (734)-604-9280
Email: ***@***.***
Too many Hobbies.... Too Little Time
1969 Lotus Elan....It's not a restoration, it's a never-ending adventure.

David

You just need an old auto electrician who knows how things work. I
bought my Nippondenso alternator and regulator (from a Daihatsu) for
$30, made the mounting bracket myself and the AE charged me $20 to wire
it up.

Generators don't really make much charge till they get spinning.
Alternators put out close to full power at low revs (so I am told). If
you drive round the city an alternator will keep you charged up much better.

Did mine 15 years ago and haven't touched it since. Can't beat those
Japs for electrics.

Peter
66S2
=======================================================
I have thought before about the alternator conversion, but I don't
think I can find anyone here in Helsinki that can do the job properly
and it seems a bit daunting to undertake on my own. Plus, until
yesterday I really have not had any problems with the electical system
and the battery has been charging just fine.

Not sure if it is worth it.

David