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Alton Generator

Posted by divie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=divie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 29, 2021, 8:12 am

I have acquired an Alton Generator/Alternator for my project BSA Sloper build. This is the type that replaces the 3" E3L dynamo.(sits on MO1 Magneto) 12 volt so I can run modern lights ! The Alton is new and unused but a few years old, came to me in exchange for some machining work. Two wires from it both the same colour. I welcome any comments/opinions from anyone who has tried one.

Sloper runs again.

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by Sparrow <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Sparrow' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 29, 2021, 9:58 am, in reply to "Alton Generator"

Hold onto your hat Chris.
The guy in Oz might tell you.

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by dommie90 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=dommie90' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 29, 2021, 1:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Alton Generator"

My problem IS with the starter motor stator ,4 stators 1 rotor 1 double gear ,2 e/i regulators
2 brush sets and broken post
baz

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by DBDBrian <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=DBDBrian' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 29, 2021, 10:17 am, in reply to "Alton Generator"

Chris, I fitted one on a mates Goldie, and it performed ok, but be aware at kickstart speed they are very noisy due to the powerful magnets, which create load reversals in the drive train, causing a rattle.
You will also require a regulator/ rectifier, I still have the fitting / wiring instructions if you need them.

Brian
Made In England

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by divie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=divie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 29, 2021, 10:48 am, in reply to "Re: Alton Generator"

Brian, it would be helpful if you could email me the wiring instructions. You may still have my email, if not please PM me. I see what you mean re powerful magnets, can really feel them when turning the spindle.
Chris.

Sloper runs again.

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by John <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=John' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 29, 2021, 11:27 am, in reply to "Alton Generator"

A mate of mine has fitted one to his BSA a7, I will ask him for any thoughts and information he might have.

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by Stuart <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Stuart' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 29, 2021, 11:49 am, in reply to "Alton Generator"

Hi,

>Alton Generator/Alternator
>Two wires from it both the same colour.

Generates AC so the two wires need connecting to a rectifier that'll turn the AC into DC. Because it's AC, nothing to choose between the wires so that's why they're the same colour

Educated guess says the Alton is a 'permanent magnet' alternator, that produces more the faster the rotor spins, so it'll also need something to regulate the DC output depending on what's required. Usual scenario is belting along on a sunny summer's day, lights off and battery charged, with magneto ignition, the alternator spun by the engine is producing electricity but nothing's using it, the regulator will turn the excess into heat.

Usual today is to connect the alternator to the aforementioned combined regulator/rectifier. Choose carefully though, you do not want one with digital electronics, because they are more susceptible to emi (electro-magnetic interference); HT is the usual emi source, 5 KOhm plug, cap or HT lead is the usual suppression, but not on a magneto(?). Podtronics reg./rec. have analogue electronics.

Btw, when you have a reg./rec., don't try and measure its DC output disconnected from the rest of the bike's electrics, because it'll be negligible ... Reg./rec. are so-called because they "reg(ulate)" the AC first based on the DC load; if a reg./rec.'s DC output is disconnected, there isn't any DC load as far as its electronics are concerned, so it regulates by turning all the alternator output into heat.

Hth.

Regards,

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by spriddler <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=spriddler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 29, 2021, 1:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Alton Generator"

Wiring dia here:

https://www.alton-france.com/downloads/

A couple of pals have them on their AMC bikes.
IIRC they said the 'early' ones had a nylon (?) drive that tended to shear/strip and were replaced by Alton with steel ones.

A switch to isolate the Alton was required otherwise there was a slight drain on the battery.

As said, they tend to be noisy at kickstart speed and do absorb a bit more power than the dynamo.

On their website Alton recommend the Podtronics regulator at about £50.

Re: Alton Generator

Thanks for all the responses folks and to Brian for sending me the instructions. The project is a long term build but I want to try and complete the charging set up before moving on. I have fitted the 22 tooth drive gear from the E3l dynamo, I have a couple of used fibre gears but will look for a new one due to lots of turning resistance with the Alton.

Sloper runs again.

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by ChazzyB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=ChazzyB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 29, 2021, 7:21 pm, in reply to "Re: Alton Generator"

I used reg/rec units from Wassell for single phase alternators on a couple of unit BSA restos. Chuck away all that zener diode and rectifier stuff.

To advertise here, please call...

Re: Alton Generator

<i>Chuck away all that zener diode and rectifier stuff.</i>

The zener on a pal's ('Thrifty' Peter) P11 failed short circuit at Vittel and melted most of the loom (over rated fuse didn't blow). I rode back several miles to a garage we'd passed earlier and bought two 15m rolls of wire (they only had blue) and we rewired it (twisting and taping new wire onto 1" tails that we left on the old connectors) then carried on to the Jampot rally near Milan.
Strange thing but after the rewire we couldn't start it - no spark. We eventually tracked the fault to both plug caps having gone open circuit, presumably the internal resistors had burnt out as it fired up immediately after we replaced them but I've never understood why that should happen.

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by JERRY <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=JERRY' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 30, 2021, 11:33 am, in reply to "Re: Alton Generator"

That picture reminds me, we are having spagetti tonight

The oldest rocker in town!

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by Triton Thrasher <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Triton+Thrasher' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 29, 2021, 7:31 pm, in reply to "Alton Generator"

I’ve been using this sort of regulator/rectifier box for a few years on mine. Less than a tenner.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/352697487679

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by dommie90 <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=dommie90' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 30, 2021, 1:50 am, in reply to "Re: Alton Generator"

TT thats the ones that ive destroyed I am still trying to find why this is happening
baz

Re: Alton Generator

I’m not clever about electronics, but make sure there is good continuity in the AC circuit (yellow wires from Alton to reg/rec). Intermittent contact can cause spikes of high voltage.

My bike (Alton, £10 Chinese reg/rec, Wassell electronic ignition) started running badly at speed the day a lead came off the battery, but I really don’t know if that was endangering the electronics.

Re: Alton Generator

Posted by divie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=divie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 30, 2021, 9:43 am, in reply to "Re: Alton Generator"

I will have to make some notes re rectifier/regulator etc as it will be some time before I get to do he final build. I am trying to build a bike to ride not an original version. Hopefully it should do service on VMCC Training Days,
I am fitting a Honda Hornet/Suzuki Bandit type of headlamp to make the machine a bit more useable. When things are painted in satin black on these 1930s bikes they seem to blend in.

Sloper runs again.

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