My recently acquired Le Mans has had its original rectifier replaced with a Lucas version.
This rectifier omits the diode pair that linked to the alternator star point connection.
I can’t see that this connection is necessary, but I can easily re-create it with a suitable pair of diodes wired adjacent to the rectifier.
So do I …
1 Leave it as found with the star point not connected.
Or
2 Fit a diode pair in which case can someone suggest a suitable component or diode rating please.
Thanks.
I am not super brilliant on 3 phase.
I think that rectifying to, and from, the centre point of the star is meant to increase the current capture of the DC system, but i think that in practice t makes feck all difference.
It might be interesting too see if total charge flow increased with that rectified brifge?
I thought I would return to confirm that the alternator works just fine without the star point diode pair.
The replacement Lucas rectifier was just £13 rather than the original Bosch from Gutsibits at £90.
The alternaator excites at ~1500 rpm but then stays excited right down to idle. As I have changed the indicator bulb to LED I have had to wire in parallel a 68ohm resistor otherwise no excitation takes place because the current draw through the LED bulb, even with a canbus ballast resistor is simply too low.
The LED dash lights really shine out, especially through the smoked bikini screen.
The output voltage is a tad high rising to >16v as the engine passes 3000 rpm, so I have ordered a new Voltage regulator.
As an aside I had to fit ballast resistors to the indicators to get a better flash pattern, using an LED flasher. Even with these the original flasher relay would not flash at all.
The LED headlight is amazingly bright.
