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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Next problem!
        
(Message started by: ro284 on Dec 28^th, 2013, 11:08am)

Title: Next problem!
Post by ro284 on Dec 28^th, 2013, 11:08am

Is i think the voltage regulator, The first test was volts at battery on tickover, which is 14v and ok. However i am also getting 13.9v. at the fag lighter and rear screen wiring and probably elsewhere also, When i cut the engine the voltage at fag lighter,etc, goes down slowly to 12v again, Any thoughts much appreciated, Regards Frazzled, (Bob)

Title: Re: Next problem!
Post by ro284 on Dec 28^th, 2013, 12:11pm

Since posting a friend said that could be normal! That would be nice, it's been one thing after another with this car, and i may be looking for things that are not there!! if anyone has time and a meter handy to confirm, Be great! Bob

Title: Re: Next problem!
Post by Tompion on Dec 28^th, 2013, 3:06pm

A small voltage drop when measured at various points compared to the measurement at the battery is quite normal.
Ideally the battery voltage should be higher than 12v (engine off & not under load) but if it were mine & I had no problems starting I wouldn’t worry about it.

Title: Re: Next problem!
Post by ro284 on Dec 28^th, 2013, 4:48pm

Many thanks Tompion, very gratefull, Bob

Title: Re: Next problem!
Post by PJDavis on Dec 28^th, 2013, 6:48pm

Wait until you have a nice cold morning. The battery needs to be 12.5 volts or there abouts, 12.3 or under it's gonna die soon in minus weather. Crank the car until it starts, put all the electrics ON that you can find, whilst checking the charge rate, (aye quickly) (the charge rate should stay fairly constantly building) then stop the car whilst everything is still on. Turn everything off, fire the car up, leave it on tick over no blipping the gas, and put a volt-meter across the battery, about 13.6 to 14.2, although my Jag's parameter is 13.2 to 14.4. Always presuming you have the right battery installed? Also remember that electrical components will have a bit of 'draw' but in the main if the car is running all electrical components tested will have the reading from the battery including the power from the alternator minus the wires to the component. E.G. If your battery is reading 12.6 volts at the posts, it might only be reading 11.9 volts at the rear stop/tail light. Make allowances.

Title: Re: Next problem!
Post by ro284 on Dec 29^th, 2013, 1:16pm

Many thanks PJ, will give that a go, The battery is only one month old, cheers Bob

Title: Re: Next problem!
Post by Tompion on Dec 29^th, 2013, 1:48pm

Bob

Just a thought in case you’ve been worried by flicking instrument needles which can be a sign of low voltage.

I know you used the instrument reset recently checking the engine temp, don’t forget the needles will always flick round next time you turn on the ignition - this could be several days later when you’ve forgotten you’d done a reset ;)

Dave