Misc: Charging Systems Wobbly dynamo end cap

CoreyL

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I would think About an Alton Generator. 12 Volt and 150 Watt .A satnav is no Problem and you have really bright light for safety reasons.I have one on my three Vincents.Erik
Yes, the thought did cross my mind. I'm not sure what the cost difference will be between getting my Miller unit repaired and replacing it with an Alton. Is the consensus these days that the Altons have had all their bugs worked out?
 

LoneStar

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FWIW, I've found the Miller D6 dynamo very reliable once I reverted from 12V to its original 6V. Driving it to 12V with a special regulator resulted in armature failures.

True, 50W isn't a lot - but adequate for full-time use of a tail lamp and 35W halogen headlamp, and sporadic brake light and horn use. My ammeter is at or above zero except at idle.
 

CoreyL

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Why would you pay someone to repair your Miller dynamo if it's only the through bolts.
I think that once the end cap became loose the armature has been flailing around in the dynamo housing and I suspect that once I get the item removed I may find some internal damage to either the armature, the field coil or both.
 

timetraveller

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You wont know until you look and if it is not working you might as well take it off and apart. Those long screws have serrated washers under their heads or nuts and if that is all that is wrong then Loctite will prevent them coming loose again. The longer you continue to use it with the end moving around the more damage will result. Be brave, you are a Vincent owner:)
 

brian gains

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had the same issues so took the lazy way out and bought an Alton. Have had it running for around 3 years, no issues and no damage to the Alton or regulator when battery became accidentally disconnected, which was a situation i had been warned against.
Flogged the Miller 'for spares' which helped off set cost of Alton, although i'm quite sure it could have been refurbished.
ps june 2021 battery became 'disconnected' again and the reg/rectifier was fried after 7 miles, Alton appears OK.
 
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erik

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The Alton is a modern Generator with all ist Advantages.No brushes ,no collector, much power.And for the security fans ,it delivers the Right Output for real light especially in nighttime.If you use your motorcycle regularly then it is worth to have a maintenence free Generator and regulatur.The old miller generators are ideal to spend time to repair it when others are Biking and the wether is good.Or for pensoineers to have a reason to leave Mum alone in the kitchen.Regards Erik
 

CoreyL

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You wont know until you look and if it is not working you might as well take it off and apart. Those long screws have serrated washers under their heads or nuts and if that is all that is wrong then Loctite will prevent them coming loose again. The longer you continue to use it with the end moving around the more damage will result. Be brave, you are a Vincent owner:)
The dynamo had a loose end when I acquired it three years ago. I took it apart and found one of the long screws with damaged threads (see pic). I sent the unit off for repair but it seems it didn't hold. I think one of the challenges is that there is not enough metal on the end cap to make a helicoil-type repair. Maybe weld up the hole, drill and tap?
 

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bmetcalf

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If the piece isn't aluminum, welding may be quite a specialist job. Can you use a longer bolt and have a nut on the end?
 
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