The Ford Barn

coolcoupe · 07-27-2016, 02:44 PM

I have a stock 47 car. At idle the gauge sits in the middle but as it speeds up will go to 3/4 charging even after a 20 minute drive. When I pull on the headlights it goes to 5/8 charging and stays there. The battery is fully charged. It has never did this before. Voltage regulator and generator are 1 year old. Any ideas ?

koates · 07-28-2016, 02:36 AM

First you have to check what is the voltage reading by using an accurate analogue (has a needle type dial) voltmeter. Connect the voltmeter leads between a good ground and the "ARM" terminal on the voltage regulator. Rev engine to 2000 RPM and hold it for one minute. Voltage should be around 7.5 to 7.8 volts. If its over 8 volts then you are charging too high. You can use a digital multimeter if its all you have but the readings on the screen may jump around a bit. Get back to me with the reading. Regards, Kevin.

coolcoupe · 07-28-2016, 10:40 PM

Thanks, will do that tomorrow.

coolcoupe · 07-30-2016, 10:58 PM

Hi Koates, I finally had time to work on my car and try what you had mentioned. Once I started looking around I could not believe my eyes !! Some little critter had chewed the wires bare, between the carb and generter. In 15 yrs prior to now I never had a problem. Now I need some ideas on how to deal with these critters, I think they are chipmunks. Any ideals. Thanks, Moe

corvette8n · 07-31-2016, 07:47 AM

Best way is to eliminate the rodents (chipmunks,mice), Google the five gallon bucket method, if it's squirrels they are a little harder to get rid of, they ate through all the abs wires on my Dad's van.

V12Bill · 07-31-2016, 12:52 PM

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coolcoupe · 07-31-2016, 06:53 PM

Some good ideas but I have a wife with a big heart and doesn't want them gone that way !!! But she has to sleep sometime right ? I'll start with sealing up the garage I guess.
It only took me 2 hrs to repair their damage. I'm back on the today so I'm happy again. It didn't take me that long to do the first time !! Thanks for input, Moe

koates · 07-31-2016, 07:04 PM

Hi Moe, pleased you have sorted the problems. We don't have chipmunks in Australia but have rats and mice and they sure can do some damage. You need a very secure shed to keep them out. I rather like your little North American animals but glad they are not here. Regards, Kevin.

07-27-2016, 02:44 PM	#1
coolcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ontario,Canada Posts: 450	over charging I have a stock 47 car. At idle the gauge sits in the middle but as it speeds up will go to 3/4 charging even after a 20 minute drive. When I pull on the headlights it goes to 5/8 charging and stays there. The battery is fully charged. It has never did this before. Voltage regulator and generator are 1 year old. Any ideas ?

07-28-2016, 02:36 AM	#2
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,078	Re: over charging First you have to check what is the voltage reading by using an accurate analogue (has a needle type dial) voltmeter. Connect the voltmeter leads between a good ground and the "ARM" terminal on the voltage regulator. Rev engine to 2000 RPM and hold it for one minute. Voltage should be around 7.5 to 7.8 volts. If its over 8 volts then you are charging too high. You can use a digital multimeter if its all you have but the readings on the screen may jump around a bit. Get back to me with the reading. Regards, Kevin.

07-28-2016, 10:40 PM	#3
coolcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ontario,Canada Posts: 450	Re: over charging Thanks, will do that tomorrow.

07-30-2016, 10:58 PM	#4
coolcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ontario,Canada Posts: 450	Re: over charging Hi Koates, I finally had time to work on my car and try what you had mentioned. Once I started looking around I could not believe my eyes !! Some little critter had chewed the wires bare, between the carb and generter. In 15 yrs prior to now I never had a problem. Now I need some ideas on how to deal with these critters, I think they are chipmunks. Any ideals. Thanks, Moe

07-31-2016, 07:47 AM	#5
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,943	Re: over charging Best way is to eliminate the rodents (chipmunks,mice), Google the five gallon bucket method, if it's squirrels they are a little harder to get rid of, they ate through all the abs wires on my Dad's van.

07-31-2016, 12:52 PM	#6
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Re: over charging Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Get a cat!

07-31-2016, 06:53 PM	#7
coolcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ontario,Canada Posts: 450	Re: over charging Some good ideas but I have a wife with a big heart and doesn't want them gone that way !!! But she has to sleep sometime right ? I'll start with sealing up the garage I guess. It only took me 2 hrs to repair their damage. I'm back on the today so I'm happy again. It didn't take me that long to do the first time !! Thanks for input, Moe

07-31-2016, 07:04 PM	#8
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,078	Re: over charging Hi Moe, pleased you have sorted the problems. We don't have chipmunks in Australia but have rats and mice and they sure can do some damage. You need a very secure shed to keep them out. I rather like your little North American animals but glad they are not here. Regards, Kevin.

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