Quick question

[Robbie693]

Does anyone know when the +2 changed over from Dynamo to Alternator, or more specifically, from Positive to Negative earth?

And are dash instruments interchangeable between the two (my guess is not but hey...)?

Cheers

Robbie

[ElliottN]

I'm running on memory here but am not sure Lotus ever sold any Elans or +2's with Alternators (maybe very late +2's?), but did offer alternator kits at some stage if you wanted to convert an existing car. They did however switch from positive to negative earth around about the advent of the S4 for Elan and chassis No. 1087 for +2 (according to Robinshaw & Ross).

Either way, correctly wired, your instruments are fine if switching from generator to alternator and/or positive to negative earth.

[ppnelan]

My late 1972 +2 has an alternator - looks likes it was standard on the original engine. I also believe that late Elans were produced with alternators. I have found a reference (on this site) that states that alternators were fitted from October 1970 on the +2S - see
www.lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11254&start=30

Matthew

[john.p.clegg]

If changing polarity you will have to think about:-
Coil connections
Radio
Rev counter.....

John

[Robbie693]

Ok, thanks guys.

I'm not changing the polarity, just wondering if I could fit gauges (specifically the water temp) from a pos earth car.

I was looking at a Temp gauge from a 1970 +2S on ebay and wondered if it would work on my Late neg earth model S130. Didn't buy it in the end - not sure if I really need one yet as I haven't gotten a chance to fit the new Voltage Stabiliser yet (thanks John), but it'd be useful to know incase.

Cheers

[iain.hamlton]

Robbie,

All the instruments are the same between positive and negative earth except the tacho, which has semiconductors.

best regards, iain

[Robbie693]

Great! Thanks Iain