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MG TD TF 1500 - Calibrating a Regulator/Control Box

I've been fighting Dynamos/Control Boxes/ Regulators for months now. I've read all of the Lucas Service Booklets that I can find. And, I can not find how to determine that a Control Box/Regulator is calibrated. I can buy them 'Calibrated', but strange results keep showing up. I'm a retired EE who has a lot of experience using (and designing)test instruments. Can someone tell me how to calibrate (or, check the calibration of) a Single Contact 2 Bobbin Type of Regulator (Used with RF95, 96, RB106/1, /2, MCR2, etc.)? Please? Thanks, Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud, I have a book that may provide some answers but it will be tomorrow before I can get to my shop and see if it has any useful data.

Jud
J K Chapin

You might consider calling Jerry Felper of British Auto Electric in California. He's been rebuilding these things for decades, and is a good guy. If anyone can help, if would be him.
Steve Simmons

Bud
Have you checked the booklet "Lucas Generator and Control Box Tests" page on the International MG Y Type Register site. It is 1963 but references the RF95

https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/pdf/lucas.pdf

cheers
Stuart

Stuart Duncan

Hi folks, thanks for the responses.

Looking forward to see what you have, Jud.

Steve, I've dealt with Jerry a number of times. He's very knowledgeable, and helpful. I'll give him a try. But, I think that's like asking a magician how he does his tricks.

Stewart, that booklet (from Hannan Bros.) is the first one in my notebook. It tells you what to do with test results using calibrated Control Boxes.

I also have the Lucas Technical Service Overseas Technical Correspondence Course, Section 4, Generators and Section 5, Generator Output Control.

Same problem, they tell you what to do with test results from calibrated testers.

Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud, what I have is Rick Astley's book on electrical systems. If you already have this, I'll go no farther. If not, I can scan and send you the relevant pages by PM. I hesitate to post the pages on this BBS due to copyright concerns.

The pages give various voltages where things are supposed to happen in the regulator. Is this the information that you are after? Let me know.

Jud
J K Chapin

http://canevet.org/IMG/pdf/mg-td-tf-wm.pdf

Look at ages N12 and N13. Pretty detailed info. I recall you should use an analog VOM, not digital? George
George Butz III

Sorry, George, the calibration procedures shown there are for an earlier version of the Control Box. But, it's better than all of the Lucas documents that I've seen so far. I may be able to correlate them with the later Control Boxes. Bud
Bud Krueger

Reading the Lucas manual is a lot like reading the Old Testament to me. Might try this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXLGsa6jRcY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxK4GaK1wNg
L E D LaVerne

Thanks, LED, I couldn't count the number of times I've looked at that series and the John Twist one that follows it. I'm looking for something more quantitative.
My EE background wants me to find something that tells me to connect up a variable power supply and set it to some specific voltages where the settings are made. On the car techniques are using what we used to refer to as a rubber ruler. Bud
Bud Krueger

This thread was discussed between 14/02/2022 and 16/02/2022

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