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MG MG Y Type - Control Box (YA).

Y 3348 (engine no. 13216) has the correct (I think original) and functioning Dynamo C45 YV, p/n 228139; the Control Box is the RF 95/2 nine-poster, and appears to be faulty. While I consider options, can anyone confirm that the more readily available 5-post type control box (RB 106 with separate fuse block) will still operate within the same parameters of cutout range and voltage regulating, and thus be ok to use with dynamo C45 as a stop-gap? The Lucas Generator and Control Box booklet has nearly persuaded me that RB 106 will be fine, but confirmation would be appreciated.
Thanks all.
John.
J P Hall

John,

Forget any fitting version of an analog voltage regulator. Numerous sources will install fully digital electronics into your original Bakelite case for about the same price as a "new" Taiwanese repro unit.

The digital board will produce infinitely better service and voltage/amperage control. You can even reconnect your dash clock without fear of overvoltage frying the hair-thin wiring.

I converted all my positive ground units, both RF91 and RF95, many years ago and have had absolutely zero problems.

Welcome to the 21st Century!

Rocky
Rodney C "Rocky" von Dullen

I'm with you, Rocky, but I don't know of anyone in Australia offering that service. I would be interested to hear from anyone in this country. Note the reference to "stop gap" above - we have a trip in March involving the YA, so I'm willing to put up with something old-school for now, and embrace the 21st century as soon as possible after that.
Thanks for your thoughts.
John.
J P Hall

Hi John.
Try Anthony Pearson @ Classic and Vintage Bulbs in SA. www.classicandvintagebulbs.com : He might be able to help.
Cheers.
Ralph.
R E J Stewart

John
have you tried cleaning the contacts in your regulator
If it's been sitting for a while they may well be corroded up a bit
Have you tested the generator output
But yes you should be able to use the other reg with some extra fuses if you follow the wiring diagrams

willy
William Revit

Ralph - great contact thank you, I'll call them tomorrow.
Willy, good to hear your thoughts - yes, contacts cleaned, generator good at 16.5 volts according to auto leccy. Short term I'm happy to fit a 5-pole RB 106 type, but I do like the sound of electronic workings for the future.
I'll post the outcome.
John.
J P Hall

John, by trip in March, is that to Adelaide for the Nationals. I have yet to decide whether to attend or not.
Stuart
Stuart Duncan

That's the plan, Stuart - our third motorhome trip down south since we retired, but our first look at the Nationals. The Y, if she behaves herself, will come with us as a runabout. Not to enter in anything, just to swap notes with other folk. Our mates David and Lynn, Hervey Bay are going too.
John
J P Hall

Maybe one of these John--you'd need to have a chat to them but i can't see why not- and it's available in pos earth

https://www.classicbikespares.com.au/product/v-reg-ii-dynamo-voltage-regulator-positive/

or cheaper but probably still ok

https://britcycle.com.au/product/12v-dc-positive-earth-regulator/
William Revit

Ahem! Rocky. If you were really interested in being in the 21st. century would you drive a Y Type?
Ian
ian thomson

Sheesh Willy, that's great info mate - thank you. For $80 or 140 bucks I'm game - I'll talk to my auto leccy tomorrow. Our first priority is still to try and save the RF 95/2, but if that's not an option, those electronic gizmos ought to be worth a go. And I can get them in Australia! Three cheers.
John.
J P Hall

John
If you've got yourself a dead regulator maybe one of these electronic jobs might be able to hide in an emptied out case
how'd you end up with the oil pump saga
William Revit

John. You asked a very simple question and got the inevitable reply I am afraid. Many people seem to think that replacing a sketchily understood device with one which they have absolutely no chance of understanding is the answer to all ills. The simple answer to your question is YES, with a few provisos. You will have to rejig the wiring a bit but only with regard to the fuses, but you would have to do that anyway if you fitted the high tech board. Secondly the two bobbin arrangement is largely the same as the older version but it is old (unless you use a modern aftermarket one which I wouldn't advise anyway), so a quick check on the cutout and regulator voltages makes sense. The "/2", or some other number after RB106 indicates the maximum charging current to which the device is set to protect the dynamo. This is adjustable but you can probably forget it unless you are going to ruin the old feel of the car which you like so much by dragging the whole hapless thing into the 21 century by adding some power hungry modern electronics.
Good Luck
Ian
ian thomson

Willy and Ian - sorry, just been away on a short road trip, back home now with interweb coverage.
Willy: sorry, yes I replaced the buggered oil pump via Doug Pelton, as it worked out better to fit a complete new unit; also new camshaft and bearings plus new rear welch plug, and new timing chain. Much huffing and puffing, double checking that I'd set the (new) timing chain correctly, and then nervous test hand cranking, battery cranking and finally cranking with ignition. Result: after an unseemly delay while the oil pressure built up to around 25 to 30 on fast idle, it eased up to 50 psi and has stayed there ever since. The same every time I fire her up. So it looks like an excellent result after the setback of a few months ago. Onward and upward. Thank you Willy for your interest and suggestions - I greatly value your experience.
Ian - you make a fair point, we got a bit sidetracked. In the end I have ordered an interesting looking product, a fully electronic replacement for my RF95/2 control box, from a mob called Classic Dynamo & Regulator Conversions in the UK. The price seems fair considering what you get, and as usual the freight cost is horrible. While I'm waiting for that to arrive, I'm going to go ahead and rewire the fuses for the separate fusebox and pinch the RB 106 that's sitting in the TD. That way I can finish the electrics and be testing stuff on the Y.
Hope this is of interest.
John.
J P Hall

no need to be sorry--Thanks for the update
William Revit

This thread was discussed between 06/01/2023 and 11/01/2023

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