Puzzled!! Over charging

[Gary Wilkerson]

I parked the 64 about six weeks ago to take care of some mostly cosmetic repairs. I pulled the cluster to have the odometer and tach repaired, replaced instrument bulbs and installed new carpet and seat covers.
I disconnected the neg terminal of the battery when I removed the cluster.
I put everything back together yesterday and took her for a test run. I now have a overcharging problem. At idle the needle is at zero but as th engine is revvd toward 2K or more I read approx. 22 amps. I confirmed the charge rate with a tester. The charge voltge is a nominal 13.8. I cleaned both battery terminals, etc. I don't have a battery tester so I havent checked that yet.

Could I have caused this by removing the cluster? If I had a pinched wire I should see a amperage draw, but I don't.
I'm leaving for Carlisle Friday and getting nervous!!

Any thoughts?

[Wayne W.]

Re: Puzzled!! Over charging

Could be normal, if it falls back after a time.

[Gary Wilkerson]

Re: Puzzled!! Over charging

I drove it for a total of 20 to 30 minutes. I assume it would have at least started charging at a lesser rate if it where a discharged bat.

Gary

[Wayne W.]

Re: Puzzled!! Over charging

13.8 is normal. The question is whether the regulator is working correctly. Use the meter and check the voltage as you turn a load on. The voltage should momentarily dip and then come up and stabilize. If it is doing this, I wouldnt be too concerned.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Puzzled!! Over charging

I had similar symptoms with my 67. I changed the regulator, but later discovered a loose wire on the harness connector at the regulatorwas the real culprit. Like Wayne says, this could be normal. How old is the battery? Most parts stores can check the battery and simulate a load. Could just be a weak battery that discharged more than you would expect over the two week lay up.

[Jack H.]

Re: Puzzled!! Over charging

That's telling you one of several things:

(1) The battery actually is low. What does in measure when disconnected from the car? The norm is 2.2 VDC per cell and you've got 6-cells. A fully charged battery ought to read 12.8-13.2 VDC.

With the battery disconnected, apply a battery charger. Will it take a full charge?

(2) The charging system is 'seeing' a low battery condition that isn't true. This can result from bad connections (open circuit, high ohmic contact, Etc.). Double check the interconnect integrity at the voltage regulator and between the regulator and the alternator.

(3) One of the system's charging components is broken. The voltage regulator has a 'fried' contact and a solenoid isn't opening up to stop telling the alternator to deliver charge to the battery. The alternator is bad and it's ignoring the voltage regulator's command instructions.

Any local auto electric shop with reasonable skill should be able to fault diagnose this in 20-minutes flat by wheeling out their portable charging system cart. They can load test your battery and FORCE the charging system components to turn ON/OFF by exercising them manually. If you have to be on the road and don't have time for do-it-yourself guessing games; go see a pro....

[Gary Wilkerson]

Re: Puzzled!! Over charging

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm removing the bat this afternoon to be checked. I installed another battery late last night. The system appears to be operating normally.
I think I'm looking at a questionable battery.

Cheers,