12V dynamo

seattle##gs

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Oct 28, 2014
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has any one made a bolt in 12 V dynamo for the magdyno? I have an Alton but it requires a lot of effort from the motor to turn it and the fiber gear and spring could not cope with it. I want a smaller capacity generator for ignition only, I run a Boyer crank triggered ignition. For the lights I will run a total loss system with batteries and LED bulbs.
 
I would be surprised if many people have made something, the Alton looks to have a gear train to increase armature speed but you would think it would still rotate with minimal drag ?
As much as I like to try and reinvent the wheel, I would exhaust the Alton set up first even though the crank ignition opens up more (off the shelf) options.

(Maybe one of those UK stator kits would mount to the crank shaft)

I did make/machine a 170 watt/12 volt alternator using Kubota parts to replace a 6 volt Lucas MC45 dynamo though so anything is possible within space limitations.

12V dynamo
 
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I have looked but have never found anything that is small enough to convert to replace the 3” dynamo in the magdyno unit. And when you realise the rotor is lower than centre of the 3” dynamo, I am certain that there is nothing that can be adapted. That said I have 2 Alton units fitted to magdynos and have never had a problem. One Alton has over 20,000 miles on it now. Both my Alton units are 3 phase. The earlier single phase Altons had a reputation for stripping the magneto gear but that problem was solved with the 3 phase unit. Possibly you have an early single phase unit.

David
 
my Alton generator is MU 1045. Very stiff while trying to turn the gear by hand. It was up and running but was too stiff for the magdyno clutch to hold it. It slipped off and on, steadily getting worse until the fiber gear was destroyed. Ideally I would find a stock dynamo that has been reworked for 12V and drop it into the magdyno body, no muss, no fuss. It could be that I am dreaming. Any one know the output of my Alton?
 
That does not sound normal.
The armature will be on bearings and if it does have some form of gear train at the drive end it should still rotate easily bar some (pulse ?) resistance from the magnets.

Only me, but I would pull the Alton down and see how things are internally.
 
Have you tried emailing Alton and telling them about the problems you are having? Judging from the few interchanges I've had with them, they seem to stand by their products and want their customers to be happy.

Ian
 
The 3 phase Alton puts out 90w at moderate speeds and 150w maximum. The 3 phase unit is also difficult to turn by hand and clicks into position at each magnet when spun by hand but smooths out and is not a problem when the engine is running.
from memory the single phase units may als have been geared up internally.
I would contact Alton direct regarding your problem and see what they say as the problem with the early units is well known.

David
 
I will give Alton a try. There are only two wires coming from the unit so I am guessing it is a single phase. It clicks into position as you say. I am sure it is a functioning unit, it just overwhelms the old magdyno clutch system and then gives intermittant charging. I am looking for a generator or alternator that is easier to turn.
 
I have a single phase Alton that has a reduction gear that clicks at low cranking speed. No clutch in the drive on a Triumph though.

Can you get more tension on the clutch spring?
 
seattle##gs said:
my Alton generator is MU 1045. Very stiff while trying to turn the gear by hand. It was up and running but was too stiff for the magdyno clutch to hold it. It slipped off and on, steadily getting worse until the fiber gear was destroyed. Ideally I would find a stock dynamo that has been reworked for 12V and drop it into the magdyno body, no muss, no fuss. It could be that I am dreaming. Any one know the output of my Alton?
Click to expand...
Does anyone make a metal gear? Or would it be to noisy?
 
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