• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Should I do it?? [electrical conversion]

Legal Bill

Jedi Knight
Country flag
Offline
For years now I have debated converting my car to negative ground and installing an alternator, petronixs ignition, and find a tach that I can have converted to negative ground. I see that Moss now has a pricey alternator kit that includes an new engine side plate and an alternator with a fan and pulley that works with a 3/8 belt. It seems to solve all the problems I was worried about. Have any of you tried this kit? Is it time to pull the trigger?
 

RAC68

Darth Vader
Offline
Hi Bill,

I totally agree with John that a negative ground conversion is beneficial and you can easily find a much less expensive approach then Moss. Unless you looking to compete in Concourse, a negative ground will allow much better sound systems, lighting systems and a number of other choices that are questionable for installations in positive ground invironments. Although the following document describes my conversion, there are a number of documents available to assist you at reasonable cost. However, it all depends on how creative you want to be and how much you want to do.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwqddve6a2OTT3VpTC1GS2lLaUE/view?usp=sharing

All the best,
Ray(64BJ8P1)
 
Last edited:

Keoke

Great Pumpkin
Country flag
Offline
Just do:
Petronixs Ignitionix.--DIY

Speedo can be updated by specialist

Generator can be RE-polarised--DIY

Turn Battery around-DIY

Add--Sport Coil & Electronic Fuel pump--DIY


YEAH! I know I'm Cheep. LOL
 

vette

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
Absolutely make the change. The possibilities are endlesss. I've got negative ground, alternator, two fuse blocks, auxilary driving lights, two separate power jacks for GPS, Cell Phone or I-pad. Never looked back and no electrical problems. I believe I got my bracket from Allen Hendrix of Hendrix Wire Wheel. He's a great help.
 

Attachments

  • Copy of DSCF1985.JPG
    Copy of DSCF1985.JPG
    43.7 KB · Views: 107
  • Copy of DSCF2261.JPG
    Copy of DSCF2261.JPG
    78.8 KB · Views: 105

CLEAH

Jedi Warrior
Country flag
Offline
Bill, in the years since you have been thinking about it, have you ever regretted not having done it? Or has your car worked fine and as designed? I've never considered it because my car has always worked fine, as designed.
 

Patrick67BJ8

Obi Wan
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Why change?
the best reason that I can think of going to a alternator and retiring the generator is that you will not find a generator on the road and have to send it to a shop that can repair it. Voltage regulators also go bad and a new/rebuilt generator can make your old voltage regulator go bad. If you get a alternator conversion from overseas it will have a alternator made from that country and maybe not available in this country.
BJ8: tach work needed to convert to neg ground.
Fuel pump: need neg ground one.
coil leads: need reversed.
turn battery around
Alternator: get one that has 1 Wire output.
 

steveg

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
1 wire output will not run your charge light. 2 or 3 wire will.
Also 1 wire requires a higher speed before it starts to charge.

Highly recommend a voltmeter as well - it will immediately tell you if the alternator isn't working.

Some online sources recommend having your alternator checked before installing - I'd do that with the Dynamator alts.
 

LarryK

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
If you drive it pretty regular and want to add better lights, heated seats, USB, Bluetooth and more upgrades, the change over is worthwhile. Generators are easy fix on the road, if the spare brushes, etc. are packed in the road box with points, condensers and emergency parts. These older British cars were made to repair on the road. But, a well-driven regular driver, the upgrades do make life easier. Don't forget electronic fuel pump ( can't repair them on the road ).
 

RAC68

Darth Vader
Offline
Bill,

If you like driving your car with little worry, then eliminate the generator and voltage regulator and go with a 2-wire alternator.

There will always be those uncertain individuals that will have concerns with reliability of any new ... or old technology. However, when was the last time you had an alternator failure on your daily driver or family car? For me, I just broke a CV half shaft during a snow storm on my 1999 Acura TL with 200K but still have not touched the alternator and only replaced its fuel pump at 160K. I don't carry spare parts or tools (other then to change a tire) in my Acura or other family cars and no one drives concerned without them.

So, with an alternator, electronic ignition and TSV-modified SU fuel pump, why would I not feel as comfortable driving my Healey without extras as well? Steve suggests installing a Voltage gauge to be aware instantly if the alternator is not working. I don't have a voltmeter or amp meter installed in any of my cars and have been fine being notified by the charge light. Yes, it would help if when I had a failure on the road, I had a spare in the boot to fix the problem. However, would I have the correct component when the failure takes place, the proper tools for the replacement, and a safe location and the physical strength to do the job?

Bill, go for the components that provide greater reliability. The beauty is the installation can be reversed if you ever want to compete in a Concourse event.

Don't worry and just enjoy your Healey.
Ray(64BJ8P1)
 
Last edited:

Patrick67BJ8

Obi Wan
Silver
Country flag
Offline
1 wire output will not run your charge light. 2 or 3 wire will.
Also 1 wire requires a higher speed before it starts to charge.

Highly recommend a voltmeter as well - it will immediately tell you if the alternator isn't working.

Some online sources recommend having your alternator checked before installing - I'd do that with the Dynamator alts.
Not so. Mine works like it should. I'm assuming that there is a wiring modification. I forget what I did, but I did it. I also gutted the voltage regulator and made some changes inside to it with a couple of wires.
 

steveg

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
Not so. Mine works like it should. I'm assuming that there is a wiring modification. I forget what I did, but I did it. I also gutted the voltage regulator and made some changes inside to it with a couple of wires.

Patrick,
Respectfully must disagree. There is ample documentation online that a one-wire alternator only feeds the battery and any charge light is disconnected as it would run all the time.

Addendum: This forum talks about it though it doesn't say how. Seems like it could be done - would advocate not doing it because - why are you working so hard to save a couple of wires and lose some functionality???
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/electrical/42563-one-wire-alternator-idiot-light-dash.html

This shows how it's done using a separate module to switch the light on and off - more complexity not less:
https://www.americanautowire.com/1-wire-alternator-charge-indicator-light/
 
OP
L

Legal Bill

Jedi Knight
Country flag
Offline
Yes, I have been thinking about this for a long time. Reasons that I did not do it yet are:

Concours restoration (or very close to it) would now be unoriginal. But I already started down that path with a spin on oil filter, and as others point out this would be reversible.

Could not find a kit that looked right. I've seen some conversions that just look like an old Chevy alternator was stove-bolted on to the existing brackets. The new kits look really good and come with a side plate.

Finding another tach to convert can be a drag and the cost of conversion bumps the price of the change higher.

Fuel pump would have to be replaced as well.

My reasons to change are outlined by others above. Better reliability, easy to install a sound system, higher output if I want better lighting, easy to install auxiliary ports for the phone.

As to my current experience with the car as is... No radio can be a drag on long drives, I'm always worried one of the electrical components will quit, I have to rely on the charge in my cell phone to last the day.
 

John Turney

Yoda
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Yes, I have been thinking about this for a long time. Reasons that I did not do it yet are:

Concours restoration (or very close to it) would now be unoriginal. But I already started down that path with a spin on oil filter, and as others point out this would be reversible.

Then make your conversion after you get your concours gold.

No radio can be a drag on long drives, I'm always worried one of the electrical components will quit, I have to rely on the charge in my cell phone to last the day.

If you have the concours cigarette lighter option, get a plug-in portable radio. As for the cell phone holding a charge for the day, I can have that problem too; some days it does, and some days it doesn't.
 

LarryK

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
There is a company that converts the generators into alternators. Power something. Costly but remains looking concours.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
mctriumph TR2/3/3A Safety mods every Tr3 should get Triumph 12
K TR2/3/3A RE: Pulling the choke knob all the way out....the carb jets should be down how far? Triumph 5
AUSMHLY 2nd gear should I file it? Do gears have a hard coating? Austin Healey 7
S TR6 Should I Buy This "73 Triumph TR6" Triumph 3
T TR2/3/3A Should there be a body ground strap to battery on TR3 Triumph 7
BN6_2197 How regular should I change the gearbox oil? Austin Healey 5
AngliaGT Why You Should Double - Check Your Parts When You Receive them. Spridgets 2
Got_All_4 TR6 Should I paint the inside of the block? Triumph 17
S Well, this should be interesting..... Other Cars 9
KVH TR4/4A Should I Cut the Lower Windshield Gasket Triumph 2
C MGB Should I lubricate the cog gears MG 2
55modified Should I remove driver's side fender to work on footbox on my BN1? Austin Healey 14
George Zeck What fuel gauge SHOULD I have? Spridgets 3
B How often should you change the rear rear axle oil Austin Healey 9
B TR6 Should the poly diff mounts be snug to the studs? Triumph 2
Sopwith_Camel 95 xj r cheap should i run away screaming? Jaguar 2
abarth69 Should I remove this section Spridgets 8
B TR2/3/3A what adjustment should i select with Koni shocks onTR3? Triumph 4
T TR4/4A Should I use ARP Assembly Lubricant for Engine Assembly and Fastener Installation? Triumph 2
F Exhaust gas analyser - what carbon monoxide level should I expect from my BT7? Austin Healey 7
K TR2/3/3A How long should an SU damper top up last? Triumph 22
M TR2/3/3A What oils, lubes etc should I have at my house at all times? Triumph 39
Got_All_4 TR2/3/3A What color should these parts be? Triumph 4
Joe Reed MGB Wiring problem....this should be fun :[ MG 4
stretchit2 Portable Hardtop Rack - Should it stay or should it go Austin Healey 28
M TR6 Should I buy a TR6? Triumph 24
Keoke Everone should own one Austin Healey 14
W TR2/3/3A '56 TR3 St 15000+ should have disc brakes... Right? Triumph 33
K TR2/3/3A How much oil should the steering box have in it? Triumph 6
Wirewheels General Tech Do we really care what our LBC's speedometer reads? Should we? MG 7
S TR6 Worth Saving??? What do you think we should do? Triumph 30
GTP1960 TR2/3/3A Should you paint your leaf springs? Triumph 5
2billydavies TR2/3/3A what bolts should i use to mount engine on an engine stand? Triumph 13
V General TR should or shouldn't? Triumph 19
R TR4/4A Replacing Door and Window Handles _ Should Be Simple - But Its Not Triumph 4
R TR4/4A About to put in an OD Transmission. What else should I do while in the air Triumph 7
T TR2/3/3A Should I put flat washers on sump bolts? Triumph 3
E How much should i pay for a complete 100/4 engine ? Austin Healey 4
luke44 General TR Every TR Owner should really appreciate this picture. Any guesses? Triumph 7
M TR4/4A Where should TR4A carpet snaps be placed? Triumph 10
J TR4/4A 1965 TR4 in pieces, What should we do with it? Triumph 9
Got_All_4 TR2/3/3A What color should this part be? Triumph 5
JPSmit Bring a Trailer should be banned Other British Cars 3
M How well should the water pump free spin? Spridgets 4
C What should the VIN plate look like for a BN1? Austin Healey 1
N Spitfire Should this be bent? Triumph 4
PatGalvin TR2/3/3A what color should it be...? Triumph 7
C Inner Sill Assembly Should i spend extra money on kilmartin brand??? Austin Healey 4
60TR3A Should My '63 BJ7's Carburetors Have Brass Caps or Black Plastic? Austin Healey 3
drooartz MGB Now I should be nice and cool MG 6

Similar threads

Top