Charging failure

[jim lee]

Truck was hard to start this AM. Checking the batteries with the handy volt meter gave about 21V with the engine running. 22V when I shut it off. Looks like something failed in the charging system. Ugg! Debugging charging systems, what a pain!

Edit : Looked in the manual and there's all this special test equipment they use to tap into the system and test everything. Anyone done this with your garden variety type multimeter?

-jim lee

[T. Highway]

Hi Jim Lee,

Is your voltage regulator a Solid State sealed unit or the old school one with the removable lid?

Bert

[jim lee]

I have both. The one on the truck is the original mechanical one. I have a solid state one I'm going to try swapping out. Sadly I don't know if the solid state one works or not. But at last its worth a shot.

-jim

[T. Highway]

Jim Lee,

I think if you have an older solid state unit you will need to change out the gauge also. (If memory serves me correctly)

The test lead set is a very wise investment in my opinion. The old mechanical regulator is very easy to adjust and maintain.

Bert

[jim lee]

Well, I opened up the mechanical regulator that was on the truck. Looked at the three relays. The near one was open, so I clicked it down. This caused the generator to do a burn out on the fan belt. -leading me to think that the generator is probably fine. Maybe that replay was sticking? So I fired up the truck and low and behold? It was happily charging its batteries.

I tossed the solid state regulator back on the parts pile for now. Lets see how well this works, and for how long?

-jim lee

[RMS]

wasn't there something about battery loss and points sticking in the regulator due to deleting the stock ignition switch and a batter cut off switch was the cure ?

at any rate I would inspect for weak springs and give a little dielectric grease to the pivots and spring perches