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had the auto electrician call today to try and fix my dynamo / cut-out problem.

After an hour of fiddling he gave up!

So it seems that I must ditch the Bosch regulator/cut-out and find something else.

Clearly it is not going to be easy to find an original Owen Dyneto type. I know therewas one for sale on ebay last week in america but I think it was something like $400.

I'm not going to pay that much, plus shipping to the UK only to find that it doesn't work. I like the idea of originality but on this occasion, I want to know it will work.

Have any of you guys fitted electronic regulators?

Thanks

What kind of regulator did the shop that tested it have on their test machine???? Maybe use the same regulator as on that machine.

Is the OD generator a shunt wound generator or not a shunt would??? That mite help determine what regulator to use.

Maybe something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Universal-JDM-C-West-Voltage-Stabilizer-Regulator-Blue-/190521090600?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c5bf12228

It expires in about 1 hour. Just something to consider for a universal fit.

If u can determine if the generator is shunt wound or not then maybe a Massey Ferguson (Lucas or Delco) app will work. MF is popular in the UK. I can check my Ferguson manual to determine which Lucas or Delco (one is shunt the other not) regulator would (or should) work.

Please let me know what you think about this electronic unit that I can get locally for ?51

http://www.aoservices.co.uk/data/v-reg.htm

It is small enough to locate near the dynamo or even inside the original casing of the dynamo-mounted regulator.

The larger version is 150w (so that's 25amps at 6volts) and is regularly used in the UK on Luca E3 dynamos which are from the early '30s and are 3-brush type very similar to the Owen Dyneto ones.

Its is claimed to be robust and self-adjusting with protection from current spikes etc.

I think this might be the answer to my problem.

They also do a rather discreet battery status monitor (ie voltage) for ?20 which could be located under the dash or even in the battery compartment. This would be extra peace of mind.

http://www.aoservices.co.uk/data/bsm.htm

Your honest opinions please?

Quote:

No good PackardV8 - that's a voltage stabiliser!

I need a combined regulator and cut-out.

There was another O-D 21262 on eBay the other day, it was at about $59. They can be repaired and someone (forget who) was offering a solid state update service. Also Henry Yeska repairs them and used to have some for sale. Also NAPA still lists some simple cutouts in their catalog. And how about the Ford Model A unit which has been continuously in repro for years?

Kind of obvious I suppose, but you should consider contacting other owners of Seventh/Eighth/Ninth Series cars and seeing what choices they made. Certainly you're not the first to encouter this problem and won't be the last.

The write up for the ao-services e-regulator looks pretty promising. Kmow anyone else that has used it???? 51 Sterling is about 80 dollars US. A liitle pricy but not too bad. Mite be the best choice so far. It would just be nice to know how many others have tried it for their testimony.

Right!

I've had another ring round the specialists in the UK and learned some more - I think.....

It turns out that the reason the Bosch unit wont work is because it is not compatible with the 3rd brush. It would only work with the brush set in a very specific, (but indetrminable) position. As the brushes wear the setting is automatically lost.

The electronic one I saw wont work either for the same reason, and it now seems that its a tiddler too (motorbike)

I've found another that is 20 times more beefy for ?90 but again it will only work on 2 brushes

The consesus here is to ditch the 3rd brush, convert the dynamo to 2 brushes and then fit an electronic regulator.

Dave, when someone asked you last week whether Packard ever made a 2 brush dynamo you said "Are you kidding?"

Can you elaborate?

I am so confused it hurts.

Dave, when someone asked you last week whether Packard ever made a 2 brush dynamo you said "Are you kidding?"

Yes, PackardV8 asked that question and I was so shocked (not a pun) by it, I didn't respond, I couldn't believe he hadn't ever looked at a postwar generator. The answer of course is, yes they did, just about every generator Packard used after 1936/37 was a two-brush unit with a conventional 3-pole regulator (cut-out, voltage and current regulation), I believe the juniors made the change before the seniors. After the change from timing-chain driven generators, the units were a mix of Delco and AutoLite, no more Owen-Dyneto.

But, these are all belt-driven via a pulley and thus have front and rear bearings and not easily converted to fit your timing chain drive system. Don't know anyone who has done that and suspect it would be quite a chore as the armature of the 2-brush units is MUCH to short to reach into the timing chain, even if the front mount and bearing etc. could be eliminated. But I have seen one or two 3rd brush generators running with modern voltage regulators - not sure how it's done. Still seems a sleezy (pardon my purist leanings) fix.

Do you want me to call a couple of the local premier auto restoration shops that specialize in this type of thing and see what they do? I hate to see you alter such a lovely and authentic piece of auto history.

PS - if the prior owner had the shocks laying in a box, what's the chance he also has the original generator control laying around somewhere? And as long as you drive in daylight with just the drain of the ignition system, you should be able to drive 100-200 miles at a clip without having to stop and recharge the battery - gives you time to figure out how to fix it in the most appropriate way and still enjoy some road time.

Dave,

We have a granny flat at our place in Nottingham England. How about you moving in there so you can be on hand every time I need you?????

Thanks again for the info. I knew you would choke on your Cap'n Crunch at the thought of me making "improvements" but I am so exasperated with this dynamo business now. I agree with you and want to keep it original but there are certain things that do have to give - reliable electrics being one of them. I want the car to be as perfect as possible but it has to be driven - not just a trailer queen.

You have to remember that there is no support over here for the American cars of that era. The guy who refurbed the dynamo has been doing it 40 years and had never heard of Owen Dyneto, neither had any of the other specialists. Most people have never even heard of Packard.

However, if you could source a good original unit I would be most grateful. Just remember that the dynamo is from a 9th series car so its not the original.

Thanks
Ken

this is my preferred option if all else fails

http://www.davelindsley.co.uk/jg-electronic-regulators.html