tr6tuga Posted July 11, 2023 Report Share Posted July 11, 2023 Good evening I have inconstant readings, most of the times is charging but without apparent reason sometimes is not . This hapens with lights off or on. A recent ground connections clean all around, improved the charging always reading + I suspect the aging battery or the rectifier Were and how should I look ? 1971 TR, injection thank you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted July 11, 2023 Report Share Posted July 11, 2023 (edited) The ammeter should not be showing a charge most of the time. It is intended only to show the current flowing into and out of the battery. Normally there will be a charge shown immediately after starting the engine as the battery re-charges but this will decrease fairly rapidly and after a few minutes the meter should read zero and remain there for the rest of the time. If there is a constant charge shown, something is wrong - maybe the battery is failing or perhaps it is a wiring problem. It could even be a fault in the alternator making the output voltage too high. Sometimes people attach loads such as fuel pump, fans, lights etc directly to the to the battery + terminal and the current taken by these is indicated as a charge on the ammeter, though it is really not. Do you have a voltmeter? If so, the battery voltage with the engine running should not exceed 14.7 Volts. With the ignition off and after a few minutes at rest, the battery voltage should be about 12.6 Volts if the battery is fully charged. Edited July 11, 2023 by RobH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted July 12, 2023 Report Share Posted July 12, 2023 Mine is also “charging” when not needed, in my case the needle is stuck a bit; it I tap hard it falls to zero. It is too much effort for me to remove the instrument for repair (LHD car). Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tr6tuga Posted July 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2023 I just check the batery age and is... more than five years hold, and with de "one year of 24 months" it's time to replace and check if there is improvement Thank you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tr6tuga Posted July 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2023 Just a update Replaced battery and inconstancy in amp readings prevails. Next, ty to use Lucas fault diagnosis manual and check charging and voltage regulator. Next step, on my wish list is replace alternator but Im confused about wich one of the type prposed on Moss catalog, and also if I need a new voltage regulator and connection kit. See what type of alternator currently on tr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted July 14, 2023 Report Share Posted July 14, 2023 You have an early Lucas 16ACR alternator and I don't think these are available now. This has different connections to the later type which is commonly available. There is no external voltage regulator- it is inside the alternator. If you fit one of the 18ACR replacements (which is a useful upgrade in current output) some minor wiring changes will be necessary and you will need the later three-pin plug. (Moss - GEU250) to connect to part of your existing loom. Moss include instruction on how to do this. https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/media/pdf/GEU250_instructions.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted July 14, 2023 Report Share Posted July 14, 2023 Before replacing the alternator, I would first check the voltage across the battery poles, you may be chasing a ghost. If you can connect an Amp-meter in series between battery and “feed” that would tell you everything. Be carefull not to run the engine without the battery connected, the alternator may otherwise be damaged. Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tr6tuga Posted July 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2023 Thank you wise men I'll check as propose before replacing the alternator. It's a option to repair the 16ACR ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted July 16, 2023 Report Share Posted July 16, 2023 (edited) IMO your mistake is to replace first with poor luck instead of find out the problem first Edited July 16, 2023 by Z320 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve-B Posted July 16, 2023 Report Share Posted July 16, 2023 On 7/11/2023 at 11:14 PM, tr6tuga said: Good evening I have inconstant readings, most of the times is charging but without apparent reason sometimes is not . This hapens with lights off or on. A recent ground connections clean all around, improved the charging always reading + I suspect the aging battery or the rectifier Were and how should I look ? 1971 TR, injection thank you I'm curious as to why you feel replacing the battery is the right course? As I've learned over the last year with our TR 6, it can take time to get to the real gremlins (still chasing 1 at present). I would put the battery on a trickle charger, such as the Ctech one to determine if the battery is healthy as it can also run the battery through desulphurisation and other cycles... If you start the car, and disconnect the Alternator does your engine still run, for 10-20 mins? If it does, then I'd be more inclined to sending the Alternator to a specialist to test, and recondition. If the car doesn't run for 10-20 mins, I would be looking more at the battery. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tr6tuga Posted July 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2023 When I checked the battery I found that she was leaking, the plastic tray had traces of acid ... and the plastic tray was broken...and when fitting the kidneys a nice trace of white powder over the tunel carpet... This is wy I started with the battery... As Forrest Gump said, Triumph are like a box of chocolat, you never know what you are gonna get Still... prefer to push a Triumph than to own a MG:) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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