Lagondaforum

Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Hi Guy, thanks for the info, I will be very interested to hear how your conversion goes and how it feels and performs afterwards. I am suprised that the DB4/5 and Rapide did not have it fitted considering it has power brakes, windows and fuel cap, even the Rover P5b had PAS in 1958. I think I would be tempted to have the same upgrade added, especially as it is quite close...we'll see...

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Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Dear All,
Re: Alternator.
I converted my car to neg earth some while ago & have now decided to fit an alternator to support some of the other items I have fitted. There are a few companies that offer a converted original Lucas Dynamo that looks the part but the failure rates are quite high! So a modern one is going to be fitted that should outlive me along with a large electric fan! Regards, Guy

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Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Hi Guy, did you reverse the polarity yourself? I've done it to another car by touching the live wire against the body of the dynamo - very easy! My reservation with the Rapide is the rev counter and other electronic gauges - did you have a problem with these?

You could always refit the original dynamo at a later stage if you wanted. Fitting an alternator should be easy as the Rapide already has a thin belt compatible with most modern alternators - not sure if the control box needs to be adapted as well?

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Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Interesting Guy about the alternators that look like dynamos, I could not find one with capacity large enough for the Rapide, however the key point appears to be their unreliability. If I change my car to negative earth I'll therefore opt for a standard alternator; strict originality is not my goal anyway

Subject: Re: Power-Steering & Alternator Conversions.

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Hi Christian,
The reverse polarity was done by a friend, no real problems other than the clock, which we took from a later DB car, but looks similar. Removed the regulator etc & literally swapped over neg/pos wires etc. Regards, Guy

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