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JAGUAR XK150 ROADSTER
PORSCHE 356
TORNADO TYPHOON
TRIUMPH DOLOMITE
ALTERNATORS REACH NEW HEIGHTS!
Case Study - Tornado Typhoon
FORD E93A ENGINE
M45G TYPE STARTER – PART NUMBER 260009D
On the 30th of January 2008, we received an ancient looking starter motor that, in the customer’s own words, “had spun its last”! We set about getting a replacement PowerLite organized for him, and a prototype unit was sent back to him on the 1st February, just two days after receiving his original unit!
The customer was delighted with the outcome, and we have now added this unit into our range (part number RAC441)
Below is an extract from the e-mail received from our customer, Mr Tony Brooks.
4th February 2008
Hi Mike
Starter Motor arrived this morning. The new motor works superbly and turns over the engine really well - the fact that I can't get the engine started yet is another story and no fault of the starter!
I have attached some photos showing the two units and the new unit installed. Assuming that my bathroom scales are accurate the old motor weighed 15.9 lb
whereas the new one weighs 8.2 lb - a saving of almost 50% .
Thanks again for your help and extremely swift response - I am absolutely delighted with the product.
Kind regards
Tony Brooks |
Spot the powerlite unit!
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Before
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After

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Case Study - Triumph Dolomite
Independent report of a Dolomite Sprint starter motor.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the effect of replacing the original starter motor with a modern high torque unit.
ORIGINAL
The Lucas 2M100 starter was designed over 30 years ago and like many units at the time its performance was marginal when originally installed.
The poor performance manifested itself in various ways such as sticking solenoids and poor cranking speeds. When the unit gave problems it was a difficult job to remove and replace due to its location on the Sprint.
The original starter had just been overhauled but still gave uneven cranking speeds when observed from the engine cooling fan.
TESTING
The results of the tests on the two starters were compared using the same instruments under the same conditions and so are acceptable for comparative purposes. Physical errors were minimised by taking care during the readings of the meters and by averaging of three readings.
RESULTS
Cable resistance by test current = 0.0032 ohms
Lucas 2M100
Volt drop on starter cable 0.41 Volts
Current taken by starter motor 0.41/0.0032=~128amps
POWERLITE RAC406
Volt drop on starter cable 0.195 volts
Current taken by starter motor 0.195/0.0032=~61amps

CONCLUSIONS
The replacement high torque starter was approximately half the weight of the original one and physically smaller.
The replacement Powerlite unit took less than 50% of the running current taken by the original equipment and produced a faster and much more consistent cranking speed. It can be used as a direct replacement for the original and is much more efficient.
Report by Mr P K Wilbraham C.Eng. MIEE
Subject : Powerlite RAC406 and Lucas 2M100 Starters on 1980 Triumph Dolomite Sprint
PowerLite Alternators Reach New Heights A customer has found an innovative use PowerLite lightweight alternators. The RAC003 that he uses is ideal for flying - small, light and powerful. It has been in use many hours now running at max 8000 rpm and the customer is delighted.
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