Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I have installed an alternator in my S1 eliminating the need for the big voltage regulator. I will be installing a terminal block for the various electrical connections. The question is, who has gotten rid of the "rats nest" of wiring and made a very clean installation of this area?



I was thinking about removing the guts of the voltage regulator and installing the terminal block inside of it as it would "look" original installed this way. But I would like to see what others have done to clean this area up.

Anyone have photos they would like to share of what you have done?

I suggest you remove the control box and fit a modern fuse block such as this one.

http://cpc.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/store ... reId=10180



http://cpc.farnell.com/webapp/wcs/store ... reId=10180

It won't look original, but fitting more fuses and tidying up will really help avoid future electrical troubles. This model has LEDs to show which fuse has blown.

You may also need a small connector block to cope with the change of wiring from Dynamo to Alternator. We have discussed that on this site before, but my brain is too tired at the moment to look it up or to work out exactly what to do. Basically that fuse block has ONE input which would be from the thick brown wire from the solenoid, then it has 6 outputs for which you put in an appropriate fuse and then wire the output of that fuse to individual circuits such as headlights, Dipped lights, Horn, Cooling fan, sidelights, indicator lights etc.

At some stage I aim to put TWO such fuseholders in mine, One as above and the second for all circuits controlled by the ignition switch. The power input to the second being through a relay from the thick brown wire, with the relay controled by the ignition switch.

I've used the RB106 as a terminal block on a Midget and the original wiring to the alternator. Just re-route inside the regulator. The empty regulator box now contains my modified wiring diagram inside a sandwitch baggie.

Add lightness!!

Kurt
26/3754

Heh Heh, as my eyes flicked over your message, I thought it said:

"My empty regulator box now contains sandwiches"


So I had to read it again more carefully.

As a general principal I do not like to anything is not reversible or looks different than as delivered. (ok ignore the Weber vs. Stromberg head with cross over pipes... )

The instructions with RDent's Alternator conversion have you use the terminals on the now unused voltage regulator as a connector block as attached.

I've removed the internals form the regulator and sued it as a terminal block, we had to join two of the spades. I'll take a photo tomorrow and post it, my car is nearing the end of a long rebuild currently at the trimmers.

V

vstibbard wrote:I've removed the internals form the regulator and sued it as a terminal block,

V

Did it go to judgment? or was it settled out of court?

Jon the Chief

Its judgement day had come and passed! Verdict was a frontal lobotomy!

Thanks for all the responses to date. I'm still trying to decide what route to take. Anyone have photos of their non-standard wiring in the area of the fire wall where the voltage regulator goes? I'd like to see what others have done.