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MG MGA - Is my generator bad?

Hi,

I'm not sure if my generator is bad, or if I got bad advice. I was told that if your battery is bad, you can still run the car off of the generator. Is this true? The reason I ask is that I switched to negative ground and changed the polarity on my generator as per Barney's instructions. When I run the engine, if I disconnect the battery, the engine dies instantly.

If my generator is bad, I would like to replace it with an alternator. Would an MGB alternator be easy to install? Does anyone have experience with the Moss one?

Thanks,

Darian
Darian Henderson

Have you tried disconnecting the battery with the engine above idle? Generator output at low RPM is very low.
Have you checked the generator with a volmeter?
Getting a bit ahead here, if you fit an alternator, do not disconnect the battery with the engine running.

Mick
Mick Anderson

A voltmeter of course! Damm keyboard.


Mick
Mick Anderson

Well, this is a little embarrassing, but the was connected very loosely, as I was just test driving it, and I hit a bump and it fell off, which immediately shut off the engine.

I wish we could edit these posts, though, as I found out that you can use virtually any alternator.
Darian Henderson

The battery was connected loosely, that is.
Darian Henderson

Before you condemn the generator, check the system out. It is quite likely that the regulator contacts are oxidised from all those years sitting. That will cause the generator to not work, but it's an easy cleanup. Be sure to disconnect the battery before futzing with regulator contacts though!
FRM
FR Millmore

This thread was discussed on 07/04/2007

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