With engine running, battery only gets to 12.9. Then with engine off, instantly drops to 12.6. Today, accidentally left the lights on full bean for 30 mins with engine off, and the battery was then dead. I do have new this year split charge system installed, and the leisure only gets charged to the same. how do I test it please? Many thanks. Jim 1979 Super Viking, 2lt type 4, Automatic
Are you testing at the alternator or do you have a voltmeter up front? If the latter mines the same and I blam e volt drop If the former - I don’t know
You should not be able to leave the headlights on without the ignition on and as soon as you turn the engine off the headlight should also go off but the side/parking lights will remain on. 12.9 volts at the battery terminal with the engine running isn’t enough to charge the battery but the fault could be the voltage regulator rather than the alternator. First clean all the connections at the battery and starter solenoid and make sure the earth strap to the gearbox is in good condition and then measure the voltage with the engine running.
Good point, it does drop to just side lights. And perfect, I will clean and check all those connections now, and retest. Are voltage regulators expensive? Mine is old, potentially original, so might order one regardless. I had to Re-tape the cover on a year or two ago.... I know the cover doesnt do anything, but just made me think it might be suffering old age. 1979 Super Viking, 2lt type 4, Automatic
Jim, I bought a HUCO 130216 when the original one stopped working. https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/oenumber/1355456.html
I don’t know if it is a typo but look at the price of the Bosch regulator. https://spareto.co.uk/oe/1204235
Cripes. Yeah, must be a typo. That's the price of an alternator, surely. So, gearbox earth strap removed, tidied, de-coroded the metal with the dremmel and replaced. Now getting 12.97v on engine battery with engine running. Interestingly, the LB now gets 13-13.1v. Will tidy the solenoid tomorrow. 1979 Super Viking, 2lt type 4, Automatic
Also, I love the fact that there is a typo in your comment about a typo!! 1979 Super Viking, 2lt type 4, Automatic
Implies the lead from to alternator from the solenoid terminal may not be in good shape. But...13V still isn’t a good voltage. Should be up around 14V. I’d get a new regulator anyway.
Check your battery earth strap and the gearbox earth strap too - the LB being a higher voltage with engine running suggests some voltage drop between starter battery negative and alternator negative.. Do something soon. Or you will be buying two new batteries , it may be too late as a 12.7 volt battery should be able to run the side lights for 20 to 30 hours.. Put both batteries on a proper mains charger to save them...
Check the connections from the alternator are good. I wrecked a battery before I found a loose earth lead right in front of me.
Not yet. LB is on hookup, and EB is on charge. Order the regulator.... estimated arrival is early Jan! I will probably rewire everything to/from solenoid, as its all a little old and brittle. I bet its the regulator though, as you said. Gut feeling. 1979 Super Viking, 2lt type 4, Automatic
Yeah, it said that, right up to the point that I paid for it, and then it said "1 day delivery, once we get it from stock, which is in Estonia"....or words to that effect No matter, I'm sure it will beat my expectations
