Help With Alternators

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karlsgazelle
Posts: 158
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:00 pm

Help With Alternators

#1 Post by karlsgazelle »

I had the Gazelle alternator (a Lucas 10AC) "reconditioned" by a local company a couple of months ago as it wasn't charging the battery.
The company fitted the usual brush box, brushes, and even a new bearing and pulley.

It all seemed fine, until my battery was flat again one day, and I checked the voltage with a meter.
At idle and above about 3000 rev/min there is 14 - 15 volts going in to the battery, but between 1000 and 3000 revs there seems to be a surge to 18 - 20 volts.

Now my battery won't hold a charge at all any more, I suspect it has been "cooked".

Could this be an issue with the wiring, the regulator (which I think is separate from the alternator) or could it be the unit itself?

Comments and suggestions will be very much appreciated.

Karl
Last edited by karlsgazelle on Fri May 20, 2011 12:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Luxobarge
Posts: 1912
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:12 pm
Location: Horne, Surreyshire

Re: Help With Alternators

#2 Post by Luxobarge »

karlsgazelle wrote:but between 1000 and 3000 volts there seems to be a surge
Yeah, that's one hell of a surge!

Seriously - I suspect the regulator here, sounds like it's "lazy" and not kicking in properly as soon as the revs rise.
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
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karlsgazelle
Posts: 158
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:00 pm

Re: Help With Alternators

#3 Post by karlsgazelle »

Luxobarge wrote:
karlsgazelle wrote:but between 1000 and 3000 volts there seems to be a surge
Yeah, that's one hell of a surge!

Seriously - I suspect the regulator here, sounds like it's "lazy" and not kicking in properly as soon as the revs rise.
Nobody likes a smart ar*e you know :lol: :oops:

Now corrected, cheers
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JPB
Posts: 10319
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:24 pm

Re: Help With Alternators

#4 Post by JPB »

:lol: He's a cheeky one, that Mister Barge! ;)

His diagnosis is, as ever, correct though since the rebuild you had done on the alternator itself would take care of the other faults that could have caused an overcharge. Regulators for AC10s and 11s are available from HERE.

I've used that seller before now and found their service absolutely spot on.
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true.. :oops:
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Luxobarge
Posts: 1912
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:12 pm
Location: Horne, Surreyshire

Re: Help With Alternators

#5 Post by Luxobarge »

Hehe - no offence meant Karl, made me laugh that's all!

Cheers ;)
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
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