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Solid State Voltage Regulator Up-date

MGTF1250Dave

Jedi Knight
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Solid State Voltage Regulator Update

Aloha All,

Last week I installed a solid state voltage regulator in my TR3A. I was asked to report on how it worked out. I had a non working Lucas voltage regulator converted by Bob Jeffers at Wilton Auto Electrics. I mailed off the old regulator on May 11th and received the converted regulator by mail on May 22nd, quick turn around since we are talking about Hawaii to New Hampshire and back.

It is important to let Bob know what model generator you have installed since the maximum amperage output of Lucas 12V generators vary. The conversion has a current limiter in it so you don't over load the generator. On the TR3 the stock generator, model C39PV2 is a 19 amp generator however later type C40 series can be installed and these vary between 20 to 25 amps. If for example the limiter is set for 22 amps, but you have a 19 amp generator, you can overload it and burn the armature. If however the limiter is set for 19 amps, a 22 amp generator will work, but not to it's full capacity.

The electro-mechanical regulator previously installed would cause wild fluctuations in the amperage gauge when turn signals or when other electrics were switched on. This was especially the case when at idle or low engine rpm. The new solid state regulator has stopped this fluctuation. I am very pleased with solid state unit and no maintenance is required. I have not noticed any problem with engine compartment heat affecting the electronics. I also asked Bob about this and he told me that all components used are rated for -40 to +84 degrees C(-40 to 183 degrees F) so I don't anticipate a problem. He also told me he has not had any report heat problems with any conversion he has done.

I plan to have the original, but not working voltage regulator for my MG converted.

Here is a photo of it in the car:
 

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Re: Solid State Voltage Regulator Update

Thanks for the report, Dave. Does it seem to be any better at keeping the battery charged when the headlights are on?
 
Re: Solid State Voltage Regulator Update

Another thanks for the update. Is this the conversion shown on Barney Gaylord's MGA-Guru web site?
 
Re: Solid State Voltage Regulator Update

Aloha Randall & Don,

The only real electrical load I've put on the car is the other day when I drove to work in the rain with lights and wipers on. I'll do some driving with the lights on and see how it goes. So far though it seems to keep the battery topped up. I report back in a week or so.

The conversion is same as the MGA-Guru shows on his site, ET-232.
 
Re: Solid State Voltage Regulator Update

MGTF1250Dave said:
The only real electrical load I've put on the car is the other day when I drove to work in the rain with lights and wipers on.
Sounds like a great test ... what was the ammeter doing? With the stock setup, it shows a slight discharge with that kind of load; not enough to run the battery down but enough to leave it at less than 100% after a run. The book even suggests recharging it after a run in the winter.
 
Re: Solid State Voltage Regulator Update

Aloha All,

A follow on report after my week long test. I drove to work all week (12 miles each way and about 20 minutes drive time)with the lights on in stop and go traffic. Observation of the Amp gauge, ignition on/engine not running about a 3 amps discharge. On engine start up about a 3 amp charge, increasing to about 10 amps if revs are over 1200-1300 RPM for a brief period (about 10 seconds or so). Stopped at a traffic light, engine at idle about a 10 amp discharge, with turn signal and brakes on it increases to about 15 amp discharge. Once revs increase to over 1300 the gauge goes to about 10 amps charge briefly before settling to about a 3 amp charge. Over the weekend I checked the charge of the battery with a Hydrometer. The battery was fully charged and all cells where between 1.265 and 1.275. I hadn't thought to test the battery before I started the test.

In any case the new regulator seems to be working excellent.
 
Re: Solid State Voltage Regulator Update

Thanks for the follow-up Dave. It's very tempting ... but I think I'm going to try to roll my own and see how many generators I can destroy before I give up!
:jester:
 
Re: Solid State Voltage Regulator Update

It's good to hear that all is working well. Thanks for the update.
 
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