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MG MGA - Generator Question 1961 MGA RDSTR
| Ok Friends, Another helpful boost if you can: RE: 1961 MGA Roadster has a 12Volt Battery (one on the <now> passenger side behind the seat. I assumed that the car had been quote "Converted" to a 12 Volt system. A mechanic told me that my generator was bad so I purchased a new one from Moss Part # 8-129. Q. Would this most likely be a 6 volt Generator or hopefully a 12 Volt? If it is a 6 Volt can I get it rebuilt to be a 12 Volt? I realize this may be a stupid question but I appreciate your help while overlooking my ignorance. If I have in fact purchased and installed a 6 Volt Generator what effect will this have? Dan  | 
| DMC Dan Carty | 
| The Generator (Dynamo) will be 12V. The original battery fitment was two 6V batteries in series to deliver 12V. It will say on teh website if it is a 6V generator, but this would be rather unusual (I have only ever heard of early VW Beetles / Bugs ever having 6V electrics) | 
| dominic clancy | 
| Dan - To insure that your new generator has a long life,see my article on fan belt tension <http://www.omgtr.ca/technical/tdtf_fan_belt/loosen_up.htm> and keep the belt loose on your car. Cheers - Dave | 
| David DuBois | 
| Whew, Thanks Guys | 
| DMC Dan Carty | 
| when you instal a new generater or one tha has been sitting for a long while it will probably have to be "excited" before it will work. this induces a residual field which is necessary for it to stat generating current  | 
| don wallenius | 
| Hi Dominic. Actually many American made automobiles in the thirties and forties used 6 volt electrical systems. I owned a 1949 Chrysler Windsor that had a 6 volt system THe engine was a huge in line 6 cylinder engine which had a very large 6 volt starter motor to crank the beast! Cheers! GLenn | 
| Glenn | 
| The moss calalog has instructions on how to Polarize a generator on a MGA. Look on the pages that have electrical parts on them. It is a simple procedure. | 
| Ed Bell | 
This thread was discussed on 25/02/2006
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