Electra wiring update

Previously wrote:

Previously wrote:

I have a 1964 Electra and would like to update the wiring. At present everything works except the charging. A previous owner installed an electronic voltage control I am not sure what brand or type. Can the alternator be wiired as a three phase unit? Is the Wico X12250 box in the tool box a starter relay? Should it clickwhen as the ignition is turned on? Because the wiring is not standard and colors do not match diagram I am thinking of stripping it all out and starting over with a new loom. Can a later higher output alternator be used if so which one will fit. Any help would be appreciated this is my daughters bike and she lives 500 miles away so I would like to make it as reliable as possible. By the way it still has points ignition and now I have the timing right they are working fine so will not be going to electronics this season.

Thanks to any and all Tony Lockwood Teaticket, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Hi Tony,

As you know I have dealt with this one for you, hopefully well. So for those looking in, some answers. NO the alternator cannot become 3 PHASE (Nor any Lucas single phase despite having three wires!) The starter solenoid is usually behind/under the battery box. In fact normally there is only battery in battery box! The clicking box you have sounds very much like the original charge relay, that should sit on the rear mudguard. If/when you remove it you can get a bigger battery under the seat hence leaving the tool box open to having just tools in it. This box switched the out put of the alternator according to the battery voltage, but although they are often still working after all these years you find that if you look at the battery voltage, it is either under charging or overcharging. The first easy answer is to connect the alternator to full output and fit a Zener diode. (you could even leave the switching box in circuit! you would then be under charging some times but never overcharging, I know this as I ran my Electra like this for several years.) You could also replace the rectifier and regulator box with a modern alternator regulator. You could fit a Lucas type higher output alternator as the Lucas item will directly fit where the Wipac is and the rotors work one another. BUT the old Wipac rotor is usually quite good despite its years, BUT it does have a 1" centre ie 1" crank. So you can't fit a Lucas item or bore it out!!!! What do we do now Mr Sochanik?

When you go to electronic ignition ie Boyer or maybe even Pazon, bearing in mind only Boyer do a direct fit Pick up plate. You will need two 6 Volt coils. I would suggest that you source two of the original 6V Wipac coils. These still work well despite their years and of course the output lead faces down making HT leads more user friendly.

I think that is all for now,

Al Osborn

Hi Al & Andy

Thanks for the help and suggestions, as you know Al I picked up an electronic regulator from you on my trip to England and have since installed it. I stripped out the old mechanical cut out and an older electronic unit and all the superfluous wires. With the alternator wired as you suggested all is well !! I get a 4 amp charge with the lights off anda slight charge with them on , the remaining wiring was in good shape so I just replaced all the bullet connectors with new ones. I also binned the ignition switch as it was erratic and installed a new simple key type switch. Am pleased with the result. All I have to do now is diagnose a strange catching noise coming from the geabox will have to open the box and look inside.

Previously wrote:

Hi,

I have attached a circuit diagram of my Electra, this has a Boyer Power Box and Boyer MKIV ignition system. May be of use to someone ...

Regards

Tony

Thanks Tony,

nice diagram, I have downloaded it for future use.

Teaticketony Lockwood