Dynamo wanted urgently !

[cheshiremorris]

We have just bought a morris today from north wales and on the way back the dynamo has given up the ghost so we have had to head back to South Manchester and leave her in a pub car park ! We need to head back tommorow to get her back and was wondering if anyone has a dynamo we could buy either in Manchester or on our way up to North wales much appreciated ! 07585 661278

[bmcecosse]

Sorry if this sounds idiotic - but have you checked the fan belt is there, and not loose? Also check the two wires are attached. Dynamo fail is usually just the brushes - a sharp tap on the casing sometimes frees off brushes enough to let them work a little longer. If you take along a fully charged spare battery - and don't use lights/wipers/heater etc - it will last for many hours. Also if you have 'recovery' on your classic insurance (RH certainly provide this foc) - then just have them recover the car to your home!

[cheshiremorris]

Thanks for the reply the AA guy tried everything so I think its a car transporter job . They wanted £140 to upgrade to full cover and £2.50 a mile to tow it back ! I think its a safer option that fitting a 2nd hand dynamo just in case it doesnt work. I think a fully charged battery would perhaps get us 20 miles we still have 70 to go . If anyone has a trailer we could hire it would be appreciated

[IslipMinor]

A fully charged battery will last for a number of hours, certainly more than 70 miles without lights etc.

Once you get back and settled I would look at Norton Heritage Insurance - we pay £170 for 5,000 miles per year with full European recovery, as well as the UK. We have had to use it once in the UK, and once in France in the last 16 years - both times the recovery truck was with us in less than 1 hour. The UK recovered us home, about 30 miles away, and in France it was back to the garage, hire cars in France and the UK and then full repatriation for the Minor back to the UK.

Very easy to contact (0121 248 9229), no premium rate numbers and they actually like talking to customers!

[bmcecosse]

As above - a battery will last many hours! 70 miles is nothing... Does your classic insurance not include recovery? Most DO and certainly RH does - including Europe - for typical premium of £80/90 per year - generally unlimited miles for a minor. You would be mad to pay that amount to the AA.

[kennatt]

I once drove 120miles,with no charge showing on ignition, full red light,and it still started the next day.Easily do 70 during the day with no rain.

[cheshiremorris]

Thanks guys inspired by your help we took my battery from my diesel car and drove it 70 miles back with no issues. A local guy in North wales offered us another dynamo which we tried but still no joy. There seems to be a loose red wire below the regulator which we arent sure where it goes electrics arent my strong point will look at some wiring diagrams in the hope to fathom as we are dying to get her on the road ! Cup of tea and loads of biscuits offered to anyone local who could help !

[bmcecosse]

Well done getting it home - and you saved a small fortune to the AA too........ RED wire is for sidelights - so I doubt that's it - unless the wiring has been messed about. The simplified wiring diagram Barry posted at the top of the Electrical section is excellent - and should point you to the problem. See here http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=28295

[cheshiremorris]

Looks like the other dynamo I got is goosed too only giving .5 volts which I assume is wrong should it be 12 - 15 ? Can anyone tell me where this loose wire should go its red and comes from the voltage regulator ?

[cheshiremorris]

Not sure why the picture hasnt loaded its a red wire comes from a small junction box (?) which in turn goes to the central spade connection from the rectangular shaped box on the bulkhead just below and to the right of the dynamo control box. PS anyone relatively local have a dynamo ? Im in Stockport thanks !

[Trickydicky]

Hi, there are no red wires connected to the regulator, is it loose and are you sure its from the regulator?
The brushes are probably worn on the dynamo and are only a couple of quid to replace.
Do you have a workshop manual? if not google for it, it will pay dividends

[bmcecosse]

Test for dynamo - remove fan belt, take a length of cable and connect it to BOTH terminals on the dynamo (original wires removed) - and now touch the cable to the NON-earth terminal of the battery. The battery will spin as a motor if all is good. beware - the touch to battery may cause a small spark, so don't do it if the battery is on charge..... Of course - if this worries you - you can connect to the battery first - and then to the two dynamo terminals....... This test will also correctly polarise the dynamo - the new one may be wrong polarity - if so, this will correct it.

[cheshiremorris]

Thanks my ex father in law is an electrical engineer and brought his multimeter. Think I need another one . Still a bit lost with this spare wire though from this rectangular box the central wire from the voltage regulator (?) seems to have three wires coming out of it and the middle one goes to another terminal block type affair and then just into mid air with a spade connection

[cheshiremorris]

[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

I don't see 3 wires from the central connection? Surely just the single Field wire? The loose RED cable is a Previous Owner 'extra' - I would tape it up for the moment - investigate later. Is there any voltage on the wire - with/without Ign ON? Have you tried the dynamo test?

[drivewasher]

Iv'e got a dynamo you can have. It's not tested and in my box of bits that could be usefull.

PM me for contact details, I'm in Golborne. Where in Cheshire are you and do you have a enough protective gear to enter Golborne? lol...........

Steve

[cheshiremorris]

Sorry heres a better picture lower down they look like original equipment (although the red wire doesnt) but theres 3 spade terminals and this comes from the middle one then goes to a small junction box type affair which looks like original equipment too[frame][/frame]