[TR] generator vs alternator

Sat Jul 8 18:50:56 MDT 2023

Glenn, I had the same issue.  The turn signal light reverses polarity,
flows one way for left and the other for right.  An incandescent doesn't
care, but an LED does.  I had to add a little electric solid state
doohickey to the circuit to make it work both ways.  Randall (RIP) helped
me solve that mystery.  An electronics guru will be able to tell you what
you need.  CZT or something like that.

Greg Lemon TR250

On Sat, Jul 8, 2023, 7:29 PM <stagbytriumph at triumphstagclub.org> wrote:

> Andrew,
>
> Correct, an electronic three spade flasher works for having LED’s for turn
> signals and also the turn indicator.
>
>
>
> A caveat though to people looking for dash LED’s: there are some German
> made LED-s that have an al-u-min-e-um heat sink between the screw base and
> the lens.  It is the same height as the spring holding tabs on the metal
> socket, and when inserted into the insulated two wire style indicator lamp
> holder socket and pushed into the instrument socket (six of them), they
> short out one wire to ground.  Beware.  Always get the lower wattage
> non-heatsink style as they are plenty bright.  The only ones that does not
> matter are the instrument lighting circuit (Red with white tracer) because
> they use the instrument case as the ground path to the black wire screwed
> onto the instrument mounting post.
>
>
>
> A dimmable 12VDC LED works for the IGN indicator, have not found one of
> those in a screw in E-10 base yet so still using an incandescent for the
> IGN indicator.
>
>
>
> And if your instrument light plastic spring loaded socket is turning to
> cheese, we have some 3D printed solutions (see the Triumph Experience 3D
> printing forum) to easily repair the OE instrument sockets.
>
>
>
> So here is a challenge for the group I have not taken any time to look
> into as of yet:
>
>
>
> My TR250 dash green turn indicator flashes with the left turn but not the
> right turn.  All turn signals, LED front and rear signals function
> correctly.  The only issue is the green turn signal indicator in the gauge
> does not flash for right turns.  The electronic flasher unit has a good
> audible synthesized “clicking” when the turn signals are active both left
> and right turns.
>
>
>
> Not yet ruled out some issue from the PO/DPM, or a ground wire I missed
> inside the harness when repairing a burnt Brown w/White wire on the harness.
>
>
>
> Glenn aka StagByTriumph Garage
>
>
>
> *From:* Triumphs <triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net> *On Behalf Of *auprichard
> uprichard.net
> *Sent:* Saturday, July 8, 2023 1:25 PM
> *To:* DAVID MASSEY <dave1massey at cs.com>; dave northrup <dave at ranteer.com>;
> triumph list list <triumphs at autox.team.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [TR] generator vs alternator
>
>
>
> OK, I was getting muddled between my TR250 which has numerous warning
> lamps and the TR3 which obviously only has two.
>
>
>
> It is possible to get an LED for the flasher, as long as you get an
> LED-compatible flasher (which I did from LiteZupp).
>
>
>
> But there was no alternative for the ignition lamp.
>
>
>
> Andrew
>
>
>
> *From:* DAVID MASSEY <dave1massey at cs.com>
> *Sent:* Saturday, July 8, 2023 12:52 PM
> *To:* dave northrup <dave at ranteer.com>; triumph list <
> triumphs at autox.team.net>; auprichard uprichard.net <
> auprichard at uprichard.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [TR] generator vs alternator
>
>
>
> That is probably due to the fact that the flasher unit requires a minimum
> current to operate.  Since this is a three-terminal unit with the third
> wire for the dash indicator switching over to a two-terminal electronic
> flasher will not work.  And the electronic units may be Neg-Ground only.
>
>
>
> Dave
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 11:06:19 AM CDT, auprichard uprichard.net <
> auprichard at uprichard.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> All I can say is I just replaced all the bulbs in my latest TR3 with LEDs
> from LiteZupp but Mike said I’d have to stick with the original bulbs for
> the warning lamps.
>
>
>
> *From:* Triumphs <triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net> *On Behalf Of *dave
> northrup
> *Sent:* Saturday, July 8, 2023 10:34 AM
> *To:* triumph list list <triumphs at autox.team.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [TR] generator vs alternator
>
>
>
> https://litezupp.com/ can replace every bulb in almost every car
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* auprichard uprichard.net <auprichard at uprichard.net>
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 6, 2023 9:18 AM
> *To:* dave northrup <dave at ranteer.com>; triumph list list <
> triumphs at autox.team.net>
> *Subject:* RE: generator vs alternator
>
>
>
> I would take it to a local shop and have them test it – but that’s just me.
>
>
>
> An alternator is a significant upgrade (you can have lights and wipers on
> at the same time), but it will require different pulleys if it is a narrow
> belt.
>
>
>
> I thought most alternator conversions were negative ground, but I may be
> wrong.  You can also stick with the generator and convert to negative
> ground for radios and other more modern electrical appliances.
>
>
>
> Not sure about the reference to LEDs:  my understanding is  that there
> really is no LED alternative for the dash warning lights.
>
>
>
> Andrew Uprichard
>
> Jackson, Michigan
>
>
>
> *From:* Triumphs <triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net> *On Behalf Of *dave
> northrup
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 6, 2023 9:25 AM
> *To:* triumph list list <triumphs at autox.team.net>
> *Subject:* [TR] generator vs alternator
>
>
>
> Recently picked up a 59 TR3 which has an alternator conversion.  Since the
> engine was separate, I have no idea how well the generator works or if at
> all.  It is still in the engine compartment, wires connected (unlike the
> engine).  how can I test it?
>
>
>
> Given the current availability of LED lights, and since I have no interest
> in installing a radio, should I try to keep the current setup (little joke
> there) or go back to a generator?
>
>
>
> Are there wiring diagrams for this car with a generator?
>
> ** triumphs at autox.team.net **
>
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