Got a New Toy for My Car

[Kirk M.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

you can save that $14.99 by buying a new corvette as that display will show up on the dash.

Dang, wish I had thought of that! Think my wife would fall for that one?

[Kirk M.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

Kirk,

They really come in handy, I keep mine in all the time, unless it is going to sit for a long time.

I got mine after I overhauled my alternator, and was cooking my lead acid battery with over-voltage. Used it to adjust the voltage down at the voltage regulator.

Now that I have one of those restoration gel batteries, it is very important to keep the voltage low in the 14-14.5 range at all rpms. You can ruin one of those expensive gel batteries by charging them over 15 volts.

Pretty much the same thing happened to me the first summer I drove my car. Melted my battery. Thank goodness when I stopped for gas I was only 0.5 miles from home - shortest flatbed haul the driver had ever done. Worked for me.

By the way Gerry, wanted to thank you for all your carpet posts regarding cuts and so on. They were extremely helpful in making sure I got mine correct.

Kirk

[Clem Z.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

Dang, wish I had thought of that! Think my wife would fall for that one?

just trying to be of help.

[Henry S.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

I remembered this post from last month and finally picked one of them up at Wal-Mart. I decided yesterday to take the 67 up to a buddy to have him buff the car out (fine scratches). I hadn't tried the voltage meter out yet so while I was driving it up to his shop I plugged it into the lighter. Boom, the reading was 15.28. Which I didn't think was right. Just as luck would have it, it started sprinkling so I turned on the wipers so of course the reading dropped a little to 14.68-70. Now I'm wondering, do I have problem with too high voltage? Any suggestion are appreciated. I have a cut-off on the battery that I always unhook when I stop. I won't get the car back until the end of the week so it will be at least then before I can check it out. Suggestions??
Thanks, Shooter

P.S. I called a local mechanic and he asked what the reading was with the car shut off but I didn't get a chance to check it yet, the only reading I got was the one with it running.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

Shooter,

I think you are OK by the Service Manual, but you may be cooking your lead acid battery in hot weather if it continues to show over 15 volts after the regulator warms up. I had the same high voltage readings and found that I was always adding water to the lead acid battery in hot weather.

What a mess it made to the battery tray and under the battery. So I turned the voltage down to around 14 to 14.5v when the engine compartment is warm. Easy to do at the voltage regulator, and your new toy makes it even easier.

If you have a restoration gel battery, as I have now, it is very important you not charge it over 15 v. That could ruin one of these expensive batteries.

[George C.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

Very nice, perfect. Save the Wave.>George

[Dale S.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

Roy, Does it work on 6 volts? Just kidding Dale

[Henry S.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

Shooter,

I think you are OK by the Service Manual, but you may be cooking your lead acid battery in hot weather if it continues to show over 15 volts after the regulator warms up. I had the same high voltage readings and found that I was always adding water to the lead acid battery in hot weather.

What a mess it made to the battery tray and under the battery. So I turned the voltage down to around 14 to 14.5v when the engine compartment is warm. Easy to do at the voltage regulator, and your new toy makes it even easier.

If you have a restoration gel battery, as I have now, it is very important you not charge it over 15 v. That could ruin one of these expensive batteries.

Jerry, I have one of those gel restoration also so I was concerned about the voltage being that high. That was one of the first things my mechanic buddy mentioned, was the water low in my battery. I'm going to get it looked at as soon as I get it back from the buff and detail job. Kind of feel l ike I'm doing things a**backwards. Car should be running right BEFORE you get it detailed. Thanks for the reply Jerry!!
Take care,
Shooter

[Kirk M.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

I remembered this post from last month and finally picked one of them up at Wal-Mart. I decided yesterday to take the 67 up to a buddy to have him buff the car out (fine scratches). I hadn't tried the voltage meter out yet so while I was driving it up to his shop I plugged it into the lighter. Boom, the reading was 15.28. Which I didn't think was right. Just as luck would have it, it started sprinkling so I turned on the wipers so of course the reading dropped a little to 14.68-70. Now I'm wondering, do I have problem with too high voltage? Any suggestion are appreciated. I have a cut-off on the battery that I always unhook when I stop. I won't get the car back until the end of the week so it will be at least then before I can check it out. Suggestions??
Thanks, Shooter

P.S. I called a local mechanic and he asked what the reading was with the car shut off but I didn't get a chance to check it yet, the only reading I got was the one with it running.

Check the voltage regulator??? Might be going south on ya. Seems high according to what people told me at 13.8V.

Kirk

[Henry S.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

Check the voltage regulator??? Might be going south on ya. Seems high according to what people told me at 13.8V.

Kirk

Thanks Kirk, I'll check the regulator out. I got a "correct" refurbished one about a year and half ago but still have the one that came on the car.

I wonder, if it's bad can they be rebuilt?

[Mike M.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

Now that is a great idea for checking the system out , I have to get one and use it for my 55.
One more accessory

roy: if you keep adding accessories to your 55, you'll need more room. Just take the trunk lid off and get one of those pickup beds that were 1939 etc chevy accessories that slides in the trunk. you could then install 6 tail-lites like the midyears were treated to in the '60's and 70's.then hang a couple of racoon tails off the tailgate. have fun. mike

[Henry S.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

roy: if you keep adding accessories to your 55, you'll need more room. Just take the trunk lid off and get one of those pickup beds that were 1939 etc chevy accessories that slides in the trunk. you could then install 6 tail-lites like the midyears were treated to in the '60's and 70's.then hang a couple of racoon tails off the tailgate. have fun. mike

Don't you already have one of those Corvette campers you pull around with all your "accessories" in it Roy.

[Roy B.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

I think I've added every GM accessory they made for 1955 and some after market items of the 50's , so dont temp me to add any more.

Radiator filter
Engine heater
Battery heater
Look-out-mirrors
AC tags
Wire wheels
Bubble top
Hard top
Spot light
AC automatic cigg lighter
Flamless ash tray
Oil eye
Vacuum
Car temperature gage
Car clock
Dated flares
Red road flags
Tool kit
Headlight holder( Spare)
Car shaver
Locking gas cap
Gas pedal cover
Curb feelers
Baby bottle warmer
Tissue Box
And more

[Joe R.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

Shooter,

The voltage regulator can be restored by John Pirkle. I don't have any experience with having mine done. I will probably try it if mine is original.

Joe

[Henry S.]

Re: Got a New Toy for My Car

Shooter,

The voltage regulator can be restored by John Pirkle. I don't have any experience with having mine done. I will probably try it if mine is original.

Joe

Thanks Joe. Hopefully I'll get a chance to look at it this week-end.