Charging Issue

[70bigblockdodge]

I do agree with Yatzee to a point. But I do like to keep the parts easily repaired from most auto parts box stores. If my older voltage regulator goes out on the road, I can just pop down and get a new one, no waiting for powermaster to get me a new unit 3 days later. So yes there are advantages, and disadvantages to both. ;)

What style of voltage regulator are you running? The old 1970 and older, mechanical VR, or the newer 70 and up unit?

Yep nothing like ordering from Summit then sitting in a hotel for 3 days waiting for the UPS man to bring me a part so I can go home. I am not against upgrading/updating but buying one off parts like a powermaster single wire that looks like a Mopar alt is not a option for a car that does not ride around on a trailer.

 

[65Fury440]

Yep nothing like ordering from Summit then sitting in a hotel for 3 days waiting for the UPS man to bring me a part so I can go home. I am not against upgrading/updating but buying one off parts like a powermaster single wire that looks like a Mopar alt is not a option for a car that does not ride around on a trailer.

True dat!!

 

[jct]

this is the one of the reasons why we buy vintage cars the simplicity of things

 

[ricks_RR]

ok I have a quick question I start my 69 RR and the voltage gauge reads in the middle .drive the car for an hour and when I start it back up a little while later the gauge starts to read like it is over charging alittle .it is not in the middle like it was when I started out that day .if I drive for a hour it starts to climb ( like ) in-between normal and full charging .have changed the VR a few times but it always doe's it .why

 

[68Nwprt]

Are you looking at an amp meter or volt meter. if it's a volt meter , can you be a little more specific as to how many volts we are talking?

 

[ricks_RR]

the gauge (volt ) that came with the car it is a 69 road runner what puzzles me is why doe's it slowly start over charging ( by the gauge but the cable's are not hot) . if I put a meter on the battery when the car is running it says 15 volts .but I have put a few different RV units on it and it still doe's it .

 

[mr. fix it]

That's more than likely an amp gauge. Amp gages are strange to interpret at best.
I usually see it higher at the beginning recovering the charge in the battery after starting.
or conversely, if you have run the highlights and idled just before shutting down and then revved it up a bit the amp gauge will show in the overcharging a bit state you are describing.

If it was pegged all the way to the right or left then I would definitely be worried as this would indicate that the voltage regulator had failed.

I'd guess that it is normal and put a volt meter into play to watch the volts more than the amps...
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[mr. fix it]

talking about gages, what the American way of spelling gauge? is it gauge or gage?

 

[ricks_RR]

who cares as long as we understand it .s_dancing2:

 

[Big_John]

talking about gages, what the American way of spelling gauge? is it gauge or gage?

Either way is acceptable.

Generally speaking though... Gage is usually used with mechanical/dimensional measurements. Example: Gage block. Gauge is used for pressure, temperature and/or electrical. Example: Pressure gauge.

I work in the business.

 

[68Nwprt]

the gauge (volt ) that came with the car it is a 69 road runner what puzzles me is why doe's it slowly start over charging ( by the gauge but the cable's are not hot) . if I put a meter on the battery when the car is running it says 15 volts .but I have put a few different RV units on it and it still doe's it .

How old is the battery? Weak cell, VR trying to compensate.

 

[ricks_RR]

4 years old it only doe's it when I drive to a show shut it off and then going home a few hours later .it don't do it when I am first driving it .what I was thinking about doing is taking the +wire on the gauge and hooking to the - side of the gauge then run a wire from the -side with the two wires on it and running it to a new gauge that I bought so it wont be using the old gauge. maybe the old gauge has a problem

 

[68Nwprt]

Sounds like a good start.

 

[mr. fix it]

I haven't read all the posts here but what about the firewall block connector going into the car?
Have you checked the wiring at that point?
If not you need to. It is common to burn wires there.

 

[ricks_RR]

I have taken the firewall block and cleaned it up .but now that winter is coming I think I will take it apart again thanks

 

[68Nwprt]

Link to MAD Conversion; If you want to eliminate the weak link in the charging system.
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

 

[mr. fix it]

I did that and haven't looked at my amp gage since!

I did do a cleaner install/bypass than what was shown in the article though...

 

[ricks_RR]

good stuff to know thank you

 

[bulldogchesty]

I have done this conversion. Very easy.

 

[ricks_RR]

excellent like I said this winter something to do