Battery not charging
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From: hershey, PA
Battery not charging
I have a 1978 ford 351w out of a LTD and i am having trouble getting the battery to charge. I have a 4 prong voltage regulator and i am only using 3 prong with F to the alternator, A to the battery and S to ignition. I was not having any trouble till recently.
The voltage reads good 13-15 volts but the battery does not seem to be charging well. The amp meter reads just a little bit past zero on the charging side. I just replaced the voltage regulator so that isnt the problem (it preforms the same as the original one). I am guessing the problem could either be faulty wiring or a bad alternator. It seems to be putting out some charge because the lights will get brighter when the voltage regulator is hooked up but it is not getting a full charge because the battery is almost dead after running the engine for 15 minutes.
When i disconnect the voltage regulator, the voltage goes up to 17+ with the rpms and the battery charges like normal. I have been working on this twice and i cannot find a problem. Does anyone have any idea what might be going on? It worked fine for a year until recently. Thanks
The voltage reads good 13-15 volts but the battery does not seem to be charging well. The amp meter reads just a little bit past zero on the charging side. I just replaced the voltage regulator so that isnt the problem (it preforms the same as the original one). I am guessing the problem could either be faulty wiring or a bad alternator. It seems to be putting out some charge because the lights will get brighter when the voltage regulator is hooked up but it is not getting a full charge because the battery is almost dead after running the engine for 15 minutes.
When i disconnect the voltage regulator, the voltage goes up to 17+ with the rpms and the battery charges like normal. I have been working on this twice and i cannot find a problem. Does anyone have any idea what might be going on? It worked fine for a year until recently. Thanks
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
If you are getting 13-15 volts on the battery terminals, with the engine running, and about 12 with the engine off, then the charging system is working.
I would suspect a bad battery. If you are sure it's ok, what are your symptoms? It won't crank fast enough?
I would suspect a bad battery. If you are sure it's ok, what are your symptoms? It won't crank fast enough?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Hendersonville, TN
Try measuring your voltage on the cable connectors and then on the actual posts. Is it exactly the same? Could be a bad connection there. BTW, even new batteries can be bad, or go bad quickly. Franklin2 is right. 13-15 volts means charging system is doing it's thing, and a charged battery shouldn't hardly deflect the ammeter. Check all connections at cables and lugs. Be sure to check the ground side too. I've seen a lot of people neglect the ground side (did it myself at 16). Should have a good ground to the block and the body. Also, I assume you're just shutting down the engine and trying to restart, and it won't, or what?
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From: Virginia
I can tell that the battery is not charging from the amp meter
The voltmeter right on the battery terminals will tell the story.
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From: hershey, PA
It seems as though the battery is not getting enough charge in amps. I took it to advance auto parts and they tested the amps going into the battery and it was only 2.5. I exchanged the alternator because i had a warranty. They also tested the battery as being good and they charged it. Now with the new alternator it will start up and the amp meter will shoot up to 30-40 amps for about 2 minutes and then it will go down. I remember from a while ago it seemed to take longer to recharge the battery after start up but maybe that is because it was just charged at advance autoparts and it fully charged. I have an aftermarket amp meter by the way. I am going to drive it tomorrow and see how it works out. Thanks
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