Practically Classics Forum

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

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.

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

Now corrected, cheers

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.

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

Cheers