78 Elecrical Questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 423
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
78 Elecrical Questions
Hi. A couple of electrical questions, not actually related, but they came up in the same discussion with a friend!
So first, what do people normally expect the "Volts" gauge to read? I noticed the other night that on our '78 the needle is now a tad more to the right (the + side) than I remember, still not in the red zone, but closer? If it were to go over into the red zone, what is that signifying?
Second, years ago I seem to remember a mention about "jump starting" later C3s and that it was not advised - something to do with the HEI distributor? Anyone have any thoughts/advice on that?
Thanks!
So first, what do people normally expect the "Volts" gauge to read? I noticed the other night that on our '78 the needle is now a tad more to the right (the + side) than I remember, still not in the red zone, but closer? If it were to go over into the red zone, what is that signifying?
Second, years ago I seem to remember a mention about "jump starting" later C3s and that it was not advised - something to do with the HEI distributor? Anyone have any thoughts/advice on that?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Hi. A couple of electrical questions, not actually related, but they came up in the same discussion with a friend!
So first, what do people normally expect the "Volts" gauge to read? I noticed the other night that on our '78 the needle is now a tad more to the right (the + side) than I remember, still not in the red zone, but closer? If it were to go over into the red zone, what is that signifying?
Second, years ago I seem to remember a mention about "jump starting" later C3s and that it was not advised - something to do with the HEI distributor? Anyone have any thoughts/advice on that?
Thanks!
So first, what do people normally expect the "Volts" gauge to read? I noticed the other night that on our '78 the needle is now a tad more to the right (the + side) than I remember, still not in the red zone, but closer? If it were to go over into the red zone, what is that signifying?
Second, years ago I seem to remember a mention about "jump starting" later C3s and that it was not advised - something to do with the HEI distributor? Anyone have any thoughts/advice on that?
Thanks!
1. I usually have almost or close to 13 volts (past the plus on yours) on my gauge while running. If you go into the red zone it seems it would be an overcharge from the alternator (regulator).
2. I don't know of any info on not jump starting the battery. If that were true I'm in deep trouble. I've jumped this car more than I care to remember.
Craig
Last edited by Street Rat; Mar 22, 2018 at 08:16 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
13.5-14.4 dvc is ok.
more is either short drain or volt regulator
over charging which will lead to bat cooking.
not uncommon for regulators to get bad,
jumping issue on computer controlled cars if
volt amount is unstable.
be aware gauge could be off and a meter connected across bat terminals will be
the way to test.
more is either short drain or volt regulator
over charging which will lead to bat cooking.
not uncommon for regulators to get bad,
jumping issue on computer controlled cars if
volt amount is unstable.
be aware gauge could be off and a meter connected across bat terminals will be
the way to test.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 423
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thanks Chaps!
I'll keep a closer eye on the gauge, to see what's going on. I'd wondered if it was an indication of the battery condition, but obviously something I need to monitor.
Is the regulator part of the alternator, or separate somewhere?
I'll keep a closer eye on the gauge, to see what's going on. I'd wondered if it was an indication of the battery condition, but obviously something I need to monitor.
Is the regulator part of the alternator, or separate somewhere?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
i think 73 is when they went from separate to internal in the alt.
but my memory gets a little backwards at times
generally i like the 13 volt amount of charging for a longer bat life.
but my memory gets a little backwards at times
generally i like the 13 volt amount of charging for a longer bat life.
