Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

HI,
Just wondered if anybody still using a dynamo had replaced the electro mechanical Lucas control box with an electronic regulator and if it was worth doing? I realise the easiest option is to fit an alternator but for some illogical reason I quite like my heavy old dynamo

Carl

Carl,
you might take a look at the Dynamators (et al), alternators with dynamo looks.
And then the old regulator RBxxx can be replaced by a dummy one or rewired, as it is not needed anymore.
Regards

I built a homebrew electronic control for a standard dynamo. I based it upon an aftermarket design for a classic British bike (can't remember which) that used 'pulse width modulation' to drive the field coil and control dynamo output voltage. I will see if I can dig out the link.

The Lucas control box does a couple of things, it disconnects the dynamo when its output voltage falls below the battery voltage, and it has a go at controlling the charge rate. I kept the electro-mechanical disconnect as I didn't want to introduce the additional voltage drop of a diode. I was racing the car and it was important to keep the original dynamo in order to be eligible, but I had a racing battery and the output voltage of the dynamo was all over the place. I built the regulator to give me a stable output voltage.

edit: while searching for the original circuit design I came across this: http://cloversystems.com/wp-content/upl ... rature.pdf

I don't know anything about the firm, but the product seems to be what you are after.