ewan2 Posted October 17, 2021 Report Share Posted October 17, 2021 What is the best option to replace a comtrol box recondition or electronic. My Tr2 has had a made in Japan control box for over 30 years. It has been reliable but a corroded connection has melted the base I have done a temporary solder repair but see there are many options. I have an RB 106 control box but it does not work. I run a dynamo and it is positive earth. Thanks in anticipation Ewan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted October 17, 2021 Report Share Posted October 17, 2021 A lot of the cheap after-market control boxes use 'iffy' materials and are prone to failure. As you say, your best bet is either to get an original Lucas one refurbished or use one of the electronic look-alikes. Both should be reliable but personally I think I would go for the electronic one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ewan2 Posted October 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2021 Thanks for the reply My experience of the Lucas control boxes on cars during the 1970's and early 1980's was they were not too good so I think I will look for an electronic one but which one? Has any one had experience of the replacement units recently. Ewan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted October 18, 2021 Report Share Posted October 18, 2021 I have a 6 volt version from here in my Hillman, & have had no trouble, Also A friend has a 12V version in his AC, & again it works just fine. http://www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/reproduction-rb106-and-rf95-regulators.php Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted October 18, 2021 Report Share Posted October 18, 2021 I have a number of TR spares in my garage mostly for the TR3A. Many of which will never be used now that the car does not go out much. I have two spare old regulator units on the shelf. They are made of the correct materials and have spade fittings not screw terminals. I think they probably need cleaning and resetting. If you are interested would you like two units for £20.00 total. Why are the new units always made from cheap materials and fail to work properly. for more than a few months ? I have returned some to the larger retailers and ended up with a small local country workshop run by a retired specialist. He has given up trying to repair repairing new ones, and I think retired completely I have so much out in the garage that a bit of clear shelf would be a relief. Please let me know asap before I visit my son in Devon. Good luck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rodbr Posted October 19, 2021 Report Share Posted October 19, 2021 Hi Owen, I know your pain! Depending on how original you want your car there are options available. I research this particular issue some years back and was advised that the issue with repro control boxes is due to recent materials used in them. The original control boxes were made from material before Nuclear testing effects were known. Whether this is true or not is of no matter, the mere fact that originals are still in many cases working tends to support this idea. I would suggest that an original rebuilt and professionally set up is worth it's weight in gold. The same is true of distributers. There used to be an very old, established Auto Electrical Company based in Midlands area that would take an original and completely restore it to original spec at a reasonable cost. I think they have been in business for 70 odd years. Sorry can not remember their name at the moment but will try to search it out for you. In the meantime talk to London Essex Auto electrics ltd as i found them to be first class and they seem able to rebuild almost anything electrical and have restored stuff from early 1900 Panhard Levassor so they have capability. London Essex supplied me with an uprated dynamo that provided 35 amps and was identical to the original at a fraction of the cost of Alternator/ dynamater (alternator in a dynamo case) easy fit as it was a direct replacement. Warning! I would suggest that to insist on having in writing a statement that they will use the original materials to avoid #knock off parts being used. Any honest guy wont have a problem with this if you tress how important it is to keep as original as possible. Hope this helps. Rod Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobTR3 Posted October 19, 2021 Report Share Posted October 19, 2021 15 hours ago, Richardtr3a said: I have a number of TR spares in my garage mostly for the TR3A. Many of which will never be used now that the car does not go out much. I have two spare old regulator units on the shelf. They are made of the correct materials and have spade fittings not screw terminals. I think they probably need cleaning and resetting. If you are interested would you like two units for £20.00 total. Why are the new units always made from cheap materials and fail to work properly. for more than a few months ? I have returned some to the larger retailers and ended up with a small local country workshop run by a retired specialist. He has given up trying to repair repairing new ones, and I think retired completely I have so much out in the garage that a bit of clear shelf would be a relief. Please let me know asap before I visit my son in Devon. Good luck Richard you have a PM. Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted October 19, 2021 Report Share Posted October 19, 2021 2 hours ago, Rodbr said: The original control boxes were made from material before Nuclear testing effects were known. Whether this is true or not is of no matter, For the record, no it isn't true. The far-eastern reproductions just use cheap materials unsuitable for the application. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ewan2 Posted October 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2021 Well all thats given me food for thought. I will not be looking at the cheap £30 pound replacements but order an ADR electronic unit with screw terminals so as it looks correct. Many Thanks to you all for your advice. Ewan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.