Compare these test figures and then make your own mind up

The first test was conducted on our Crypton Test Bench using a Lucas C35M 6v dynamo properly converted to two brush with our electronic regulator  and another well known regulator.

With both regulators we used a 40 watt halogen headlamp bulb as a test load.

The voltage was recorded as the dynamo was run from a fast tickover speed to a maximum of 2000 engine rpm.

Results were as follows:-

Speed (RPM)                             Volts - ADR                      Volts - Other Regulator

     1000                                            6.0                                            5.6

     1250                                            6.5                                            6.1

     1400                                            7.0                                            6.4

     1500                                            7.1                                            6.8

     1750                                            7.2                                            6.9

     2000                                            7.3                                            7.0

As can be seen, low speed charging is greatly improved with the ADR regulator and the curve soon flattens out to an ideal 7.3 volts max.

The second test was also conducted on our Crypton Test Bench using a pre war Lucas C4512v 14a car dynamo properly converted from three to two brush by ourselves with our electronic regulator, a used mechanical Lucas RB106 regulator and a new Indian made copy of the Lucas RB106.

Results were as follows:-

                                                  Lucas                   Indian copy                      ADR

Cut in speed (rpm)                       1000                       1000                               850

Battery volts @ 2000 rpm

with no load                                 15.9                        15.4                               14.6

Charging amps @ 2000 rpm 

Battery fully charged - no load       1.5                          1.2                                0.7

Charging amps @ 2000rpm      

with a full load                         Fluctuates                Fluctuates                        Steady

                                         between 0.1 - 0.8       between 0.6 - 1                      0.8       

With all 3 regulators the full load applied was 4 x 36 watt bulbs and 1 x 21 watt bulb equating to a 13.75a load. 

As can be seen, cut in speed is lower with the ADR regulator which means low speed charging is better (ideal for low revving vehicles and also where the dynamo is driven at engine speed direct from the crankshaft)

Battery voltage at 2000 rpm is ideal with the ADR regulator. With the 2 mechanical regulators it is in excess of 15v which will gradually boil away the battery electrolyte resulting in more topping up and could even distort the plates. Modern sealed batteries that can't be topped up will fail earlier because of this.    

Charging current at speed with a full battery is ideal with the ADR regulator. 

Just a trickle is all that is needed.

The battery voltage with a full load drops to below the ideal 14.2- 14.5v with both mechanical regulators. With the ADR regulator the voltage is ideal with only minimal difference between no load and full load.

Charging current with a full load applied is steady with the ADR regulator. 

The dynamo fully compensates for the load applied and the regulator allows a small charge into the battery. The ammeter is also steady.

With the 2 mechanical regulators the regulated current is unsteady. 

This is why the ammeter needle flickers.

Our regulator are well designed and built (in the UK) using high quality precision components that do not need setting up or adjusting so these figures will remain the same throughout the life of the regulator. 

Unlike a mechanical device it will protect itself and your dynamo from overloading or faults such as short circuit or reverse polarity.

We used a converted pre war dynamo to show just how efficient it became after our proper two brush conversion.