over-charging problem

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Oct 6, 2004 | 09:11 PM

#16

pops_91710

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Chino, California

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89broncobob

I just bought a && F-100 2 weel drive with 4 speed and 302. I put a tester on it and found it to be over charging bad . Then while it was running i took the batt cable off and it ran a whole lot better. I didnt drive it just running in the drive way. Do you think it is the alt or the voltage regulator. The regulator is on the front fire wall next to the radator. I paid 150.00 for it and it has no rust out side just the floor boards , So i guess i got a good deal.

I am not sure you really have a problem at all. Why do you think it's "overcharging bad"? An alternator only puts out the amount of volts required to top off the battey as needed. It can't put out any more than that. A regulator only switches current to the battery as required. If the regulator sticks then it can put back too much to the battery, and thus overcharge it.

You didn't mention how you tested it, what numbers you got, and whether or not you were reading amps with an ammeter, or volts with a volt meter.

Give us some more details.

Oct 7, 2004 | 06:35 AM

#17

89broncobob

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From: Port Richey FL.

it was with a load and volt meter and the volts went to 16 to 17 volts.

Oct 7, 2004 | 09:07 AM

#18

beartracks

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 6,635

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From: Albuquerque

If the regulator is bad you can overcharge. Also if you lose diodes in the alternator you can send AC voltage to the battery which is not good. It will also show up as high voltage on a DC scale.

Oct 7, 2004 | 10:08 AM

#19

Purely Ford

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 987

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From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S

I think beartracks has a good point. I have had the diodes in an alternator act like nothing more than resistors and the simptoms seem similar to what have been described.

Oct 7, 2004 | 10:12 AM

#20

89broncobob

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From: Port Richey FL.

It is a strange thing , Over charging but draining the batt at the same time , I guess from over charging and then it running good with the batt disconnected. How ever i think the last time i did that to show a friend it burnt the coil or some thing out couse now i have no spark . So YES i will hurt things by removing the batt cables while its running.

Oct 8, 2004 | 10:13 AM

#21

89broncobob

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From: Port Richey FL.

Ok, now after taking the Batt cable off while it was running , It died and now it will not start . It will crank but no spark . I changed the coil and tested to see if i was getting power to the coil and i am . What would be the next in the line . Voltage regulator maybe. ? Thanks for all the help in advance.

Oct 9, 2004 | 09:53 AM

#22

pops_91710

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Chino, California

Voltage regulator? What's that got to do with starting the engine? the pick-up coil is bad, that's my guess.

Oct 9, 2004 | 11:04 AM

#23

89broncobob

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From: Port Richey FL.

changed the modual and no she starts again , However its still over charging to about 17 to 18 volts so i will change voltage reg in a few

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Oct 9, 2004 | 11:44 AM

#24

fordmando

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Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 265

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From: Greenville USA

I had a similar problem, it ended up being a bad ground between the body and the battery. I added a ground strap, problem went away.

Oct 9, 2004 | 03:09 PM

#25

89broncobob

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Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Port Richey FL.

changed regulator and now charging fine. BUT no gauges work... Just got the truck to work on as a hobby and its a mess.

Oct 9, 2004 | 06:58 PM

#26

Mil1ion

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Joined: Jan 2008

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Except for the ammeter, the gauges run off the Instrument cluster voltage regular, which is mounted to the rear of the cluster (like a 9 volt battery)

Yes, you have to removed the cluster to get at it