Low Voltage...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Low Voltage...
Well - I'm having some electrical problems with my 68.. I am using a 100 amp alternator and have no electrical accessories other than electrical fans... and my Voltage currently is at 12 Volt without headlights and 11 Volt with headlights.. I know where I'm losing the Voltage.. It's in the fuse panel..Some of the contacts in the fuse panel have some corrosion. I tried to use electrical cleaner and some sanding paper and it temporarily helped.. Voltage went up to 13.9 Volt.. but shortly after it dropped again back to 12 Volt... What kind of procedure or products can be used to clean electrical contacts??
:cheers:
Olivier
:cheers:
Olivier
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: Low Voltage... (GrandSportC3)
What is the voltage at the back of the alternator? Are you sure you don't have a voltage regulator problem? I had good luck cleaning the electrical block, at the engine side of the firewall, using a mild, brush on acid. I think it was either Naval Jelly or some similar product. I used a cheap glue brush and carefully brushed it onto the contacts. I started out keeping it on for only a few seconds and kept increasing the time until I got good clean contacts. Be careful here since it is acid. Once you are through, thoroughly wash the contacts with lots and lots of water until you are sure the acid is gone. Gently blow dry your contacts and then, before you re-assemble it, apply some di-electric grease.
Gary
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Low Voltage... (GrandSportC3)
You might want to try Radio Shack or an Ace Hardware store for spray-on electrical contact cleaners. They do exist, but I don't know the name of the product.
Dep
Dep
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Medford, Or
Re: Low Voltage... (GrandSportC3)
Sounds like an alternator problem. One of rectification diodes is probably open or the regulator is open. I bet if you disconnect the battery while the engine is running the engine will die. Read the voltage off the large red 12 volt wire off the alternator and compare it to the 12Vdc at the battery, also Compare the engine ground to the battery and chassis ground.
Good luck!
Dan
Good luck!
Dan
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Low Voltage... (GaryS)
What is the voltage at the back of the alternator? Are you sure you don't have a voltage regulator problem? I had good luck cleaning the electrical block, at the engine side of the firewall, using a mild, brush on acid. I think it was either Naval Jelly or some similar product. I used a cheap glue brush and carefully brushed it onto the contacts. I started out keeping it on for only a few seconds and kept increasing the time until I got good clean contacts. Be careful here since it is acid. Once you are through, thoroughly wash the contacts with lots and lots of water until you are sure the acid is gone. Gently blow dry your contacts and then, before you re-assemble it, apply some di-electric grease.
Gary
Gary
:cheers:
Olivier
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Low Voltage... (Dep)
You might want to try Radio Shack or an Ace Hardware store for spray-on electrical contact cleaners. They do exist, but I don't know the name of the product.
Dep
Dep
:cheers:
Olivier
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Low Voltage... (vettedan)
Sounds like an alternator problem. One of rectification diodes is probably open or the regulator is open. I bet if you disconnect the battery while the engine is running the engine will die. Read the voltage off the large red 12 volt wire off the alternator and compare it to the 12Vdc at the battery, also Compare the engine ground to the battery and chassis ground.
Good luck!
Dan
Good luck!
Dan
:cheers:
Olivier
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 25,778
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From: Zionsville, PA NRA Life Member
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Low Voltage... (GrandSportC3)
.. My main problem is at the fuse seats.. There's no brush that's small enough to get in there... :( :(
:cheers:
Olivier
:cheers:
Olivier
Go to your local hardware store and buy a flux brush ( acid brush) for applying paste flux for soldering. They are a strong inexpensive brush that should work well.
:seeya JRD77VET
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Low Voltage... (JRD77VET)
.. My main problem is at the fuse seats.. There's no brush that's small enough to get in there... :( :(
:cheers:
Olivier
Try a Q-tip with naval jelly. They are small enough to get in there.
Go to your local hardware store and buy a flux brush ( acid brush) for applying paste flux for soldering. They are a strong inexpensive brush that should work well.
:seeya JRD77VET
:cheers:
Olivier
Try a Q-tip with naval jelly. They are small enough to get in there.
Go to your local hardware store and buy a flux brush ( acid brush) for applying paste flux for soldering. They are a strong inexpensive brush that should work well.
:seeya JRD77VET
That sounds like a plan :yesnod: :yesnod: . Today I did some sanding (as good as I could) and the Voltage is at 13.7 Volt with two fans turned on and 14 Volt with one... I hope that it lasts longer than last time that I got the voltage up... If I get a chance tomorrow - I will check at ACE Hardware...
Thanks
Olivier
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: Low Voltage... (GrandSportC3)
The thing about using Naval Jelly is that, since it is an acid, it will attack the metal components of your fuse block and clean them. It should leave the plastic alone. You don't even need to be neat about this. Take an old brush and brush on/in the Naval Jelly and let it do its thing. Just remember to thoroughly wash it to neutralize the acid.
Gary
Gary
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Low Voltage... (GaryS)
Just remember to thoroughly wash it to neutralize the acid.
Gary
Gary
:cheers:
Olivier
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Low Voltage... (GrandSportC3)
Water is what's used to clean off naval jelly. Not good in a fuse panel :(
I have another idea. There are gun cleaners that are used to eliminate corrosion of brass and copper. Possibly one of those might work.
Dep
I have another idea. There are gun cleaners that are used to eliminate corrosion of brass and copper. Possibly one of those might work.
Dep
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Low Voltage... (Dep)
Water is what's used to clean off naval jelly. Not good in a fuse panel :(
I have another idea. There are gun cleaners that are used to eliminate corrosion of brass and copper. Possibly one of those might work.
Dep
I have another idea. There are gun cleaners that are used to eliminate corrosion of brass and copper. Possibly one of those might work.
Dep
:cheers:
Olivier
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Allen, TX, USA
Re: Low Voltage... (GrandSportC3)
See the thread "question for electrical engineers..."
And visit the mentioned web site.
Synopsis - recommend use of a relay to drive headlights directly from
alternator instead of through main panel wiring. Result is much brighter
headlights (due to 14+ volts from alternator, compared to 11+ at the
panel.)
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Low Voltage... (VettePower)
Hey Olivier, Whats with the new picture?? I whole heartily approve!! :p: :conehead :p:
:cheers:
Olivier
