Actually, over 14V at the generator is probably too high. A max of
13.8V is generally considered enough. Sounds like it is overcharging
the battery, much over 12.5V resting is a bit high. My guess is the
regulator - it could be shutting down completely on a long trip after
the voltage hits some threshold instead of keeping the voltage up. If
it's holding 14+V, the generator is OK - that's what you should see if
you ground the control terminal of the generator, which is a sign that
the regulator is the problem.
glenh :<)>
On 12/13/2015 1:10 PM, stokester wrote:
Yup.
A 100% charged battery should read 12.6 volts, 12.4 = 75%, 12.2= 50%
and so on.
Over 14 volts from the generator should be enough to keep it charged
and provide enough juice to run the vehicle.
So your battery shows that it is fully charged and the generator is
providing a charging voltage but there may be other factors. The
battery may read fully charged but until you do a load test its
capacity is not assured. The generator has brushes with springs and a
commutator which may be worn causing them not to make full contact.
As John mentioned, heat may be a factor. As the armature and other
components heat up there may be other things going on.
Nick
On Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 3:19:11 PM UTC-5, mike morehouse wrote:
After trickle charging the battery over the last few days till I
got a green light indicating it was charged, the battery output
with the engine off is 12.65. I started the bug and let it idle.
No gen light. Revved up the engine and checked the voltage at the
battery and it was reading about 14.3 vdc.
Wouldn't this indicate that the generator is ok?
What to check next?
Thanks Mike
Mike Morehouse
On Dec 12, 2015 1:30 PM, "stokester" <[email protected]
<javascript:>> wrote:
The first thing I would do is use a meter on it to see the
actual output voltage of the generator.
Nick
On Friday, December 11, 2015 at 9:54:34 AM UTC-5, mike
morehouse wrote:
Good morning.
I need a little advice with a generator light issue on my
stock 72 Bug with generator. I drive my Bug mostly short
trips in town - errands, church, work, etc...both day and
night driving. Car is stock with OEM generator. No added
accessories. Battery was replaced in 2012 and starts car fine.
I never have any generator light issues on normal trips in
town. Last night I took it up the interstate on about a
22 mile trip at about 65 mph and at the 20 mile mark the
gen light came on. Car contined to run fine. Got to my
destination and picked up a play script and got back in
the car to make the 22 mile trip back home. Gen light
stayed on the whole time. FYI, I did notice left and right
turn signals were flashing very rapidly when I put them on
on way home.
As I got close to home it did appear that headlights were
getting dimmer. Made it home OK. Pulled in garage and left
engine running to look at headlights. They did look dim.
Shut engine off. Checked fan belt. It was intact and
seemed to have plenty of tension. I connected my Harbor
Freight trickle charger to battery and left it on over
night. It is still charging this am. If I do start car
this am, headlights seem fine and there is no gen light on.
IIRC, the last time I made his same length trip, the same
thing happened.
Why would I have gen light issues on a 20 mile trip at 65
mph when I never see that around town?
Would a 30 or 35 minute trip cause a gen problem that a 10
minute trip around town might not?
I guess what I am saying is no gen light occurrences on
numerous local trips but 2 consecutive light issues on 30
min trip up interstate.
I'd welcome your thoughts as this makes me wary of taking
an road trips in the Bug.
If I didn't give enough info on symptoms please let me
know as I do need some help.
Thanks Mike Morehouse in Alabama
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