AC ACE Dynamo |
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The Lucas C39/C40 is the dynamo for the AC ACE. The Lucas Gospel of the 1950's indicates that an Ace would have had a C39 dynamo and a RB106 Control Box. Our plan is to use a Dynalite as an alternator. This means the fitting of a dummy control box. It also means that the amp guage will not work as a volt meter will be required if a charging reading is required. In effect, the amp guage will do nothing other than light up.
On our last car we used Holden Vintage & Classic as the supplier and they do some great kit with a great service too. They produce useful wirng digrams. Changing from a dynamo to an alternator is straightfoward. |
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AC ACE RegulatorLucas Voltage regulator for AC Ace :- AC Engine version........ 37290D E
duI am not sure about the above reference as it uses spade terminals and they did not really get widely used until 1960's. Holden do the earlier screw terminal regultor box pictures below. The video on the left gives you an isight in to the Dynalite alternators.
The correct Dynalite Alternator to get the right look for your AC ACE is HERE. The correct Dummy Box for your AC ACE is HERE: The prices of the Dynalites can move around but as a pretty accurate guide the Dynalite for the AC ACE comes in at £402 inc VAT and the Dummy Box is priced at £46.80 inc VAT. Allow £500 for both items and shipping and you won't go wrong. Not cheap but makes a ot of difference to the reliability and ueabillity of the car. We have been bery pleased with the performance from the Dynalite we put in our Triumph TR4A. |
Dynamo Bracket
A dynamo bracket has to be created to move the dynamo to the front of the engine. Chatting to Rod Briggs, the AC 6 engine expert, he said that these parts are very simple and any machine shop should be able make them for you if you cannot do so yourself. The dynamo housing cover can be made out of a piece of 1/8" aluminium (or thereabouts) from a paper pattern. Rod kindly donated the sketch below. If you have any AC-6 questions or ends, Rod is your man and can be contacted at www.ac-6.co.uk 01458 273476
3D Modelling
I am lucky to be in an industry where 3D modelling is used on a daily basis. The model below is the dynamo bracket put in a 3D CAD format drawn from the Rod Briggs sketches. This can be used to 3D print the bracket or use the dimensions to CNC machine it out of aluminium. The picture on the rights shows a work-in-progress. Below you'll find the correct 3D file.
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3D File for Dynamo Bracket AC ACEDownload this file to get the info for the AC ACE dynamo brackets. Your local CNC machine shop should be able to read this file and press a button and out spits your dynamo brackets:-)
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The completed Dynamo Bracket in Stainless
Here it is. The completed dynamo bracket in stainless. Cost about £30 to have fabricated from our drawings including polishing
Dynamo from our 2.0 engine
When the AC Ace was introduced the dynamo moved from the rear of the engine to the front of the engine powered by the fan belt. The pictures below show ours as it came off the car. When moving the dynamo to the front position a blanking plate needs to be made to cover the old dynamo position. We have decided to replicate the origional dynamo housing plate so at least the look of the origional shape is retained. It has a unique shield shape with the point being at the bottom to allow access to the centre stud. Where you see the blue rag is the position of the dynamo atthe rear of the engine.
Cover plate
The picture above shows a blue and white rag where the dynamo goes. Below you can see the cover plate fabricated to cover this hole as the AC ACE dynamo is mounted on brackets at the front of the engine.
Pictures of our dynamo when removed from the engine
Lucas Y 25514E 11 55 M4 186 G76 12V. These are the numbers stamped on the dynamo that was fitted to the rear of our engine. They are not the same as a dynamo that was used by the AC ACE.