5 replies to this topic

[Peachie166]

I'm new to the Forum and in the process of rebuilding my 1965 Austin Cooper. I'm planning on using it for motorsport, Classic Road Rallies, Sprints, Hill climbs and Autosolos/Auto tests etc. and have come the point of trying to decide what form of electricity generation I should use.

I have all the original equipment but rather than just fitting it I would like to know what other owners use, think and what's best + or - Earth with a Dynamo or Alternator so I can build it straight in rather than keep modifying it?

[KTS]

welcome to TMF 

 

do any of the motorsports you're looking at have restrictions on modifications to the original electrical system ?

 

if not, and starting from scratch, personally i'd go for negative earth and an alternator as it's the most common system, so has the best support (parts, knowledge etc)

[greenwheels]

Nice to see a Cooper going to be doing what they used to do when they were new.

[Ethel]

welcome to TMF 

 

do any of the motorsports you're looking at have restrictions on modifications to the original electrical system ?

 

if not, and starting from scratch, personally i'd go for negative earth and an alternator as it's the most common system, so has the best support (parts, knowledge etc)

 

I thought the same. Though a dynamo should be ok in that scenario, it's at low rpm that they really lag in performance. Alternators are more efficient, so there'd be a slight performance advantage to be had. Some use Denso type alternators to eek out a little more gain in weight savings etc. You can also get alternators in disguise as dynamos.

 

Your choice of leccy maker will settle the pos or neg earth question. Other than originality the advantages are with -ve, just for being the default nowadays.

[Peachie166]

welcome to TMF 

 

do any of the motorsports you're looking at have restrictions on modifications to the original electrical system ?

 

if not, and starting from scratch, personally i'd go for negative earth and an alternator as it's the most common system, so has the best support (parts, knowledge etc)

 

I have checked the Motorsport UK (Governing Body) rules and both alternators and dynamos are permitted for "Historic" motorsport.

 

Thank you to you all for your comments.

 

I will keep all the "surplus" parts with the car for the future but will start looking for an alternator etc.

[gazza82]

So if you plan to go Alternator, you'll need to go to -ve earth too.

They did make +ve earth ones in the 70s as I had one on an A35, but no longer available and not a common brand. -ve earth will give you plenty of options for size and output as well as makes.