The standard Lucas generator use on a Morgan +4 is rated to 22 amps
continuous output. We have found that it will tolerate generating 28 amps
continuously if it is in good shape to begin with. At 30 amps it will start
to throw solder and will shortly thereafter fail entirely..To adjust the
regulator so that the max. output is 28 amps;
Fully charge the battery and make sure that it is in good condition with
clean terminals and good ground conections. Connect a ampmeter in series
between the "D" terminal of the voltage regulator and the "D" wire from the
generator. (disconnect the yellow "D" wire that comes from the generator
"D" teminal and connect it to one of the ampmeter leads, connect the other
ampmeter lead to the "D" terminal of the regulator.
Remove the cover from the voltage regulator.
Do not disconnect any other wires.
Start the engine and turn on all of the electrical consumers at the same
time. I have Lucas Halogen headlamps, "Square Eight" halogen driving lamps,
heater, electric defrosters, and of course wipers and tail lamps.
Bring the engine up to about 3,000 RPM and read the ampmeter. Hold the
RPM steady for about a minute and a half to allow the reading to stabilize.
To adjust the output use the screw on the back of the regulator farthest
away from the centerline of the car. Screwing it in will raise the uotput
and backing it out will lower it . The adjustment is VERY sensitive. 1/16 of
a turn will make a meaurable difference. With all of the consumers that I
have, the generator cannot keep up and the system will run in a state of
constant discharge and the battery will eventually go dead if I don't turn
something off! But with the headlights, heater, defrosters and wipers, the
generator will just stay even. I purchased my car new in 1965, have 115,000
miles plus on it , in addition to 50 or so race weekends and am on my 3'rd
generator. One I burned out because I had adjusted the amperage to high
and I think that 6800 RPM is probably a little hard on them also.
Regards, Greg Solow
-----Original Message-----
From: LSelz@aol.com <LSelz@aol.com>
To: arthart@bell-labs.com <arthart@bell-labs.com>; pdburket@intrepid.net
<pdburket@intrepid.net>; morgans@Autox.Team.Net <morgans@Autox.Team.Net>
Date: Wednesday, December 09, 1998 4:19 PM
Subject: Re: Halogen headlamps
>Art -
>
>Will the standard Lucas generator pull the 130W halogen lamps you mention?
>
>I'm considering running them on my car via a relay, but would like to keep
the
>stock generator and regulator (mainly since I just replaced them at some
>considerable cost). I don't want to be throwing solder, though. Thanks
for
>your thoughts.
>
>
>Lannis
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