Knebel
Senior Member
Hey, I would like to find out how the 70s and up charging system works. mainly, does the Voltage regulator turn off the charging if it thinks the battery is charged or should I always see 13.8 to 14.7Volts?
I dont wanna chase my tail here thats why I am asking. I am starting the car, see the 14.7V. Sometimes putting load (Fan, headlights) on it it stays like that, then...fairly unexplained and suddenly I see 12.5V... sometimes 13v sometimes 13.8 (that does not change when i rev the engine) sometimes lower but thats a gauge calibration issue. When this happens and the e-fan is on, I can hear how it slows down. It then can also happen, that the Voltage goes back up after a while!?
Is that how this is supposed to be or am I looking at some ground or connection issue here? Ill be putting in a bigger charging wire soon too to see if I have loss there.
It is a dual field Powermaster 95amp alternator (puts out 60something at idle). With an adjustable 70s style voltage regulator. Its connected via relay from the battery to a junction for IGN+ with a bunch of other stuff. Does the voltage regulator somehow sense anything, even with load on it which makes it stop/reducing putting out? The charge battery output wire runs from the alternator stud through a big fuse and then to the batt+ terminal. on the batt side of the fuse is where i also get battery power for accessories that require it!
I dont wanna chase my tail here thats why I am asking. I am starting the car, see the 14.7V. Sometimes putting load (Fan, headlights) on it it stays like that, then...fairly unexplained and suddenly I see 12.5V... sometimes 13v sometimes 13.8 (that does not change when i rev the engine) sometimes lower but thats a gauge calibration issue. When this happens and the e-fan is on, I can hear how it slows down. It then can also happen, that the Voltage goes back up after a while!?
Is that how this is supposed to be or am I looking at some ground or connection issue here? Ill be putting in a bigger charging wire soon too to see if I have loss there.
It is a dual field Powermaster 95amp alternator (puts out 60something at idle). With an adjustable 70s style voltage regulator. Its connected via relay from the battery to a junction for IGN+ with a bunch of other stuff. Does the voltage regulator somehow sense anything, even with load on it which makes it stop/reducing putting out? The charge battery output wire runs from the alternator stud through a big fuse and then to the batt+ terminal. on the batt side of the fuse is where i also get battery power for accessories that require it!