Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Has anyone tried using one of the electronic voltage regulators that are now available? Just wondering how they hold up.

I bought one from a well known auction site for my +2.. Some months later I ran out of fuel even though the gauge was reading.. The ground leg had fallen off the transistor due to solder flux corrosion inside the housing! Then I replaced it with a Spyder design unit, no problem now. Just bought another one for the Elan project!

d?cades ago I made one from a handfull of discrete components soldered onto vero-board, forgotten more than I know on the subject but it was an LM31 something voltage regulator chip.

The whole thing was small enough to fit Inside the existing casing for the bi-metallic unit and never gave any problems.

If the aftermarket ones are expensive have a go yourself, its a very simple circuit and an easy beginners project.

That sounds like a good idea.
On my Sprint i have a Generater and Voltage Control box. Sometimes i hear a lot of clicks from the Voltage Control and i wonder if i should change it.
If an Electronic Voltage Regulator can fit inside the original box and it's an easy job why not.
Alan

I fitted the L7810 voltage regulator chip inside the old box with no real difficulty, just the usual struggling. The `10` is the voltage. Current rating is 1 amp. It needs two capacitors across the input and output, but I cannot remember the value just now.
I will look back in my records later or I am sure Billwill will know if he is there.
The regulators are on ebay for about ?2.00 each.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

My reply was concerning the instrument voltage regulator, if the question was regarding the dynamo current/voltage regulator there would be a lot more room for the circuitry, still probably a basic circuit but with high current switching components, good heat sinking would be essential.

I'm referring to the one for the generator that is in the engine compartment.

Nice little DIY project if you feel the urge.
https://ludens.cl/Electron/dynareg/dynareg.htm

I think "Clover Systems" make one to replace Lucas RB340 for about 165$
Alan

www.bpnorthwest.com have an electronic one for US$99 from Lucas.

Is the voltage regulator still needed if you go with an alternator conversion?

The one for 99$ is screw terminals and not spade so for earlier cars very nice
Alan

danielmo wrote:
Is the voltage regulator still needed if you go with an alternator conversion?

Most likely not. The good conversions use Japanese alternators, like Nippodenso, that have
the regulator built in.

Oh!, I didn`t think of that. Mine is for the 10 volt instrument regulator of course.
Eric in Burnley