Low voltage somewhere
Chris and Blair, thanks for your suggestions.
While we were working on the carrier, I had noticed a second problem with the lights and gauges. We dropped the instrument cluster down to replace a blown fuse. With that replaced the gauges came on line and front headlights work.
Then I noticed that the headlamp was very dim after a few minutes (this with the motor running). Thought that was odd, but I had more pressing issues with the Carb.
After a phone call to Barry Churcher *thanks Barry!* I decided to go back and look into the voltage situation.
The carrier currently has a tractor 8V battery in the normal spot. A second battery is mounted in the wireless battery area. It is a 12v battery connected directly to the starter and activated with a 6v solenoid connected to the starter button in the instrument cluster.
BTW, I copied this set up (except with a stock 6v battery vice 8V) in my Mk1.
Ok, I measured the voltage with the engine running and I only have 3.7 VDC. Today I am going to adjust the 3rd brush on the generator and see what happens. I am not sure if that will up the actual voltage or simply encrease the current flow for the charge rate. The manual simply says it increases the rate of charge. My 'tron theory is a bit rusty and I am not sure how the 3rd brush is providing juice. (Hmmmmm..... is 7.4VDC the typical generator output when running? I have half that...Could have lost a brush?)
The generator lamp had been burned out and we replaced it when we had the instrument cluster apart. It stays on all the time now, dimly. Last night before we called it quits, it was running much brighter.
I know - the lamp indicates current flow back to the battery, so any light means the battery is drawing current to recharge. With an 8v tractor batttery, would it ever go out?
The ammeter is suspect anyway. Tapping the glass changes the display everytime.
The voltage cutout is original. The distributor was updated to be the crab style.
I plan to send off for a new cutout, dash resister, dist cover and whatever else I can get short of pulling the distributor out.
Wish me luck.....
Cheers,
Jim
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