mk1-forum.net

This is sort of a general question....do Lucas alternators have an internal voltage regulation module?

The reason I ask is that one of my cars (not a Mini) has been converted from a dynamo to a Nissan alternator, and there is also an external, Nissan voltage regulator that is spliced (badly) into the wiring loom.

The whole thing is a mess, so I'm preparing to order a new loom for the car, and I'm thinking that going to a Lucas alternator would be a lot cleaner, in that respect.

Thanks in advance.

Yes all the ACR type alternators have an internal voltage regulator. some older Lucas alternators had an external regulator but these were mostly commercial types.
Bosch do a rebuilt one for a Midget for about $100.00 and the adapter plug is about $10.00

The Lucas ones such as the later higher rated ones from the 80s and 90s (45amp and 70amp) have no external regulator.

The following link to a Keith Calver article from the minispares site describes how to make the change retaining the original voltage regulator box. If you don't mind gutting an old regulator box and doing some simple re-wiring inside it you end up with an original look and a very neat wiring job. The only noticable external change is an additional wire running from the third alternator terminal to the solenoid which can be neatly tied-in to the existing loom.

Link:
http://www.minispares.com/article/Techn ... fccf15512e

or fuller version here: http://www.minimania.com/article/28/Alt ... structions which includes reference to the extra wire from alternator to solenoid.

The Lucas 11AC, supplied by Lucas Comps in period (and used by BMC works team towards the end?), used a 4TR remote regulator.

Benny , since you are in the US , another good alternative alternator that is being used on minis , triumphs , MGBs etc is a 1991- 1995 saturn alternator.FIt a V groove pulley , and change the clocking of the drive end frame and you have a cheap alt with LOTS of output ( up to 115 amps) and readily available in the US . They bolt straight up to a Mini MGB etc , no shimming or messing about but you will also need the pigtail
If you google search something like alt upgrade MGB there is a couple of good links.

Craig

Found the link !!
http://www.mgtoronto.com/pdf/Tech/MGB_A ... pgrade.pdf


craig

Thanks Craig, that's another interesting option. Is the V-belt pulley something that is readily available, or is it modified from another application?

The alternator supplier should be able to swap over the V groove pulley no problem for you .
Nothing modified or special ....
Craig