Saalro

iTrader: (8)

My battery kept dying, so i checked my alternator was charging, but it wasn't.

So i got a second hand alternator and fitted it.

I did another alternator check and it still wasn't charging.

I started to worry as i have been building a track car and have been doing a lot of wiring, and by that i mean cutting wire out lol.

After a quick search on Google i come across some information that said if the battery light bulb on the dash clocks doesn't work, the alternator won't receive the signal to chage.

As far as i was aware my bulb for the battery display worked...

...BUT...

The clocks haven't been plugged in for weeks now lol.

I plugged them back in and it was charging again.

I'm not sure if this is a stupid design or not to be honest.

Just thought i would share this though, if your car is not charging make sure the clocks are plugged in and that this bulb hasn't blown, it will not allow the alternator to charge.



Thanks

360ste

iTrader: (1)

It is a designed like that, what happens is, initially the voltage goes from the ignition switch through the bulb and feeds the alternator with a bit of voltage to get the charging cycle going. Once the alternator is working the bulb goes out due to it receiving a positive voltage on either side, ie one from the ignition switch and one from the alternator. Due to this the battery warning light can also illuminate due to a over voltage situation also if it flickers chances are the regulator has had a diode go short circuit so allowing a little bit of AC voltage through.

debbiesonic

iTrader: (7)

I can understand you thinking it's a stupid design, but charging circuits have used this design for years, purely because of it's simplicity in design. Not only does that single loop wire provide the alternator with a feed to start charging (excite) but it also illuminates the warning lamp if it is not charging.
I would rather have this system than any of the new smart charge systems you get on the newage, where if there is no load being drawn from the battery, the alternator doesn't charge.