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Voltage puzzlement!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Dublin
Voltage puzzlement!
I can't figure this out, I rebuilt my alternator because it wasn't working but after rebuilding and testing it the output voltage at the battery was 17+
I got in touch with then vendor I purchased the kit from and was sent another voltage regulator.
After the install over the weekend the voltage at the battery now reads 18+
Any ideas? Tested using a digital voltage meter
thanks
I got in touch with then vendor I purchased the kit from and was sent another voltage regulator.
After the install over the weekend the voltage at the battery now reads 18+
Any ideas? Tested using a digital voltage meter
thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Check the battery voltage without the engine running to confirm your meter is OK.
Recheck your installation of the regulator,it must be insulated , grounding will put it in test mode-full output.
Is this a 1 wire ?
Recheck your installation of the regulator,it must be insulated , grounding will put it in test mode-full output.
Is this a 1 wire ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Dublin
thanks for the advice
when you mention grounding the alternator where might this happen; I do have both insulators around the bolts in the regulator, and the third terminal doesn't have one.
I will retest the voltage with my other digital multimeter over the weekend
when you mention grounding the alternator where might this happen; I do have both insulators around the bolts in the regulator, and the third terminal doesn't have one.
I will retest the voltage with my other digital multimeter over the weekend
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Not saying you did that but its worth checking since you have had 2 suspect regulators in a row.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Look at the rear of the alternator housing right behind the regulator, there will be a D shaped hole. Inside the hole you can see a shiny little tab that is used to full field the alternator by grounding the tab to the case. Full fielding is bypassing the regulator and giving the alternator field full voltage or in the case of this alternator it already has full voltage and the grounded tab will complete the field circuit and cause the alternator to go to max uncontrolled output. If the voltage regulator case is accidentally grounded by mounting it wrong it will not function and cause the alternator to go to full voltage.
Last edited by '75; Jul 25, 2012 at 08:16 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Thinking about this "tab" a little more !
I might be wrong about the tab being part of the voltage regulator,the tab might be part of the brush holder.
The idea is still the same though,there is part of the reg that needs to be insulated.
I'll try to look at some pics and confirm. If all my parts weren't sold or packed away I would take some pics.
I think there are many books that will detail exactly how the reg and brush holder need to be installed.
I might be wrong about the tab being part of the voltage regulator,the tab might be part of the brush holder.
The idea is still the same though,there is part of the reg that needs to be insulated.
I'll try to look at some pics and confirm. If all my parts weren't sold or packed away I would take some pics.
I think there are many books that will detail exactly how the reg and brush holder need to be installed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 458
From: Lititz PA
No sandpaper on copper!
I liked the video on how to rebuild the alternator. Except that one should not use sandpaper on copper or brass because abrasive particles will embed themselves in the soft metal. This will cause the slip rings to act like a hone stone on the brushes.
John
John
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Dublin
Thanks for all the advice
I try the other volt meter in the morning, If thats not the problem I'll see if the tab or the clip in is contact with the alternator casing.
There is a possibility that underside of the clip could be touching the case.
I try the other volt meter in the morning, If thats not the problem I'll see if the tab or the clip in is contact with the alternator casing.
There is a possibility that underside of the clip could be touching the case.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Your welcome , I hope you find something obvious. 
Recheck the 3 bolts , the 2 bolts with green lines are the insulated bolts,the yellow is the grounded bolt. Its fairly common to find the grounded bolt in the wrong location.
Recheck the 3 bolts , the 2 bolts with green lines are the insulated bolts,the yellow is the grounded bolt. Its fairly common to find the grounded bolt in the wrong location.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
If you don't have the external connector wired correctly or if a wire is damaged/broken, the alternator will not be able to 'sense' the actual battery voltage and will [by default] go to max charging voltage, which is around 17 vdc. Make sure that connector and its wiring are good and are routed correctly.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 34
From: Porterville Ca
John, what would you recommend to clean up the slip rings ?