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Vehicle Dynamo Generator

dynamo2023 Dynamo prices from £80 plus carriage part no.HC110483 replacing Lucas LRD101

Vehicle dynamos are generally found as part of the autoelectrical system on older classic and vintage vehicles including classic cars, classic tractors, and vintage lorries with 6 volts (6v), 12 volts (12v), or 24 volts (24v) battery charging systems.

The dynamo is a shunt wound electrical generator. Dynamo electrical power output which rises as engine and armature rpm increases.

Vehicle Dynamos generate electrical power as Direct Current using the Faradays law principle of magnetic induction.
An electrical current is induced in a wire cutting a magnetic field.

Dynamo Construction

The dynamo consists of a casing with end brackets, a stator with field coils, and armature rotor with commutator.
The dynamo armature rotor is generally driven by pulley via v-belt from the engine crankshaft pulley.

Early dynamos are generally of 3 brush type on 1920s-1930s vintage vehicles such as MG TA and Austin 7.
Later 2 brush type dynamos requiring a seperate external control box are found on many 1950's to 1970's era vehicles.

The Dynamo Stator

Field coils and pole shoes held by screws in an outer yoke casing form the stator.
The pole shoe screws can become extremely tight and may require use of a device such as the crypton pole shoe screwdriver to remove.
Care must be taken to avoid distorting the dynamo yoke (barrel) casing when trying to remove the pole shoe bolts.
Field coils are made of copper wire and lapped with field coil tape.

The F Terminal connects excitation current to the field coils through either a field to battery, or field to ground circuit.

The Dynamo Armature Rotor & Commutator

The armature rotor consists of wound copper windings connected to a commutator.
The armature centre shaft is supported on bushes or bearings.

The commutator acts as a rotary switch in contact with carbon brushes.
Copper bars (segments) soldered to armature wires form the commutator.
Commutator bars are seperated by Mica insulation.
Excessive field current can cause overheating then solder to melt and be thrown from commutator segments.
A worn commutator may need skimming on a lathe and Mica undercutting to restore condition.

Carbon Brushes

Dynamo brushes originally gained their name because metal brushes were used to contact the rotating commutator to allow flow of electricity.
Carbon brushes connect the field coil F via one carbon brush to armature commutator and second brush from commutator to D terminal.
Carbon brushes are held against the commutator by brush springs (brush spring pressure).
Worn brushes can cause dynamo output failure, burning and sparks at the commutator reducing output and eventual commutator failure.
When fitting new brushes these should be bedded to the commutator to improve electrical contact.
Carbon brushes should be free to slide in the brush holders and should make good contact with the commutator.
Brush spring pressure should be equal. Lack of brush spring pressure may cause arcing and commutator damage.
If brushes become jammed and lose contact this can cause the dynamo to stop charging.
Worn dynamo brushes should be replaced.

D Terminal

The Dynamo D terminal provides the power output connection for battery charging via wiring loom and control box.

F Terminal

The Dynamo F terminal provides a circuit connection for generator field excitation current.

Dynamo Field Coils

The dynamo field coils are copper windings insulated with field coil tape.
Dynamo pole shoes mount field coils to the frame or yoke barrel casing of the dynamo.
Countersunk bolts secure pole shoes to the casing frame.
Removal may require use of a pole expander dynamo pole expander

Dynamo types

C35A Dynamo

3 brush 6 volt dynamo. Dynamo output is varied by moving the position of the third brush relative to the two fixed brushes. Field excitation current is controlled by switching through different vehicle circuits to control resistance.

C39 PV/2 Dynamo

19 Amps

C40 Dynamo

4 1/2 inch fan : 20A

5 inch fan : 22 Amp

Field coil resistance : 6 ohms

C40L Dynamo

C42 Dynamo

30 Amp

C42 Easidrive Dynamo

35A

C45 PV6 Dynamo

25A

C45 WV4 Dynamo


6 Volt
Application: Bedford

C45 PV6 Easidrive Dynamo

30A

C48 Dynamo

35A

D45 Dynamo

G7 (24 volt) Dynamo

GL4512-11M Dynamo

GL4524-2 Dynamo

GL4524-25 Dynamo

H55 Dynamo

CAV H5512-11 Dynamo


Application : Bedford RL lorry

DO7X Dynamo

Dynamo Voltage Regulator Control Box

A Variety of dynamo control box exist to regulate voltage and current. The regulator should function to allow the vehicle battery to remain at a full state of charge. When the engine is running and battery terminal voltage is lower than dynamo terminal voltage then the regulator should allow battery charging.

  • Lucas part no RF91
  • Lucas part no RF95
  • Lucas part no RF96
  • Lucas part no RF97
  • Lucas part no RB106 RB106/1 RB106/2 Compensated Voltage Model
  • Lucas part no. RB108
  • Lucas part no RB310 Current Voltage Regulator
  • Lucas part no RB340 Current Voltage Model
  • Dynamo Checks and Tests

    Check condition and tension of generator belt.

    Ignition warning lamp (WL) should illuminate with ignition key on and extinguish when the engine is running.

    Residual field : Disconnect cables from dynamo , connect voltmeter between D terminal and chassis ground. Engine at approx 1500 rpm , Volt meter reading should be 1 to 3 volts

    Dynamo field circuit : Voltmeter connected between D terminal and chassis ground. Ammeter connected between D terminal and F terminal. Increase engine rpm until voltmeter reads nominal system voltage. Ammeter should read aprox 2 amps.

    Dynamo armature circuit : Disconnect cables , connect volt meter Black lead to D terminal , Red lead to Earth, run engine 1500rpm , meter reading should be 2 to 4 volts.

    Dynamo motoring test : With the fan belt removed, link D & F terminals. With chassis ground connected to yoke frame,
    and battery power applied via an ammeter to the D & F link ,
    the dynamo should run as a motor.

    Voltage Control - Generator trouble

    Symptoms Probable Fault Remedy
    Battery in low state of charge.
    Lacks power when starting
    Hydrometer reading below 1.200
    Generator not charging due to:
    Broken or loose connection in generator circuit, or regulator not functioning correctly Examine charging and field circuit wiring. Tighten loose connection or replace broken lead. Examine Battery connections. Repair or renew regulator
    Commutator greasy or dirtyClean with soft cloth moistened in petrol
    Giving low or intermittent output when engine running above fast idle
    Generator drive belt slippingExamie drive belt. Adjust belt tension
    Loose or broken connections in generator electrical circuitExamine charging and field circuits wiring. Tighten loose connections or replace broken lead. Examine battery connections.
    Brushes greasy or dirtyClean with soft rag moistened in petrol
    Brushes worn or not fitted correctlyReplace worn brushes and check that brushes bed to commutator correctly.
    Regulator not functioning correctlyHave regulator checked by service engineer
    Battery overcharged, shown by blown bulbs and frequent need to tup up electrolyte. Hydrometer readings high

    Table adopted from Sunbeam Rapier workshop manual page 41 section N electrical equipment

    Flashing the Dynamo

    Required to polarise dynamo output either Negative earth or Positive Earth. Remove leads, touch a wire between the dynamo F terminal and battery live terminal.

    Dynamo to Alternator Conversion

    A range of aftermarket products are available offering bolt on replacement units with similar appearance to the original dynamo but are actually higher output alternator conversions. Increasing current output requires upgrading cable specification.

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