Generator Problem in 3 Acts - Page 2

**Alex Csank** · #16 (**permalink**) 07-16-2003, 07:57 AM

Thanks Mitch...I remember you now! I must be a victim of "old-timers" disease!

Good luck with your generator and electrical issues!

Cheers,

**papajam** · #17 (**permalink**) 07-16-2003, 09:12 AM

I know this thread is getting a little bit away from MitchW's original question (sorry), but to answer Kai's question, the current draw of a period radio can be measure in milliamps and the headlights pull maybe 8 amps total on highbeam. The stock generator can easily keep up with this if all is normal with the system. However, if one were to add a sound system that is capable of breaking the neighbors windows or headlights more suited to jet aircraft, the genny's gotta go.
For anything in between, my thought would be to go with a 2l or newer Bosch alternator; higher output than the 35 amp 1750 version and has an internal regulator. And it would look more like it belongs there than a GM unit would. Then again, you can get a GM 7127-12 53 amp alt for about 30 bux.

**papajam** · #18 (**permalink**) 07-16-2003, 07:30 PM

MitchW,
I posted some info on instrument bulbs in the electrical forum under the thread 'instrument bulbs'. Hope you find it useful.

**67GTV** · #19 (**permalink**) 07-17-2003, 01:58 AM

Mitch I apologize for highjacking your thread. I'll break out the engine analyzer this weekend and have a go at it. Never used one before.

Thanks for the input Jim and Alex. I'll keep your advice in mind. The stereo I purchased will be the only addition to my sound system for now. I may replace the speakers, two 6x9's and two 5-1/4's, depending how they sound with the new stereo. But that's about it.

Alex, I'd be interested in taking a look at your alternator swap plans though.

Thanks!

MitchW · #20 (**permalink**) 07-17-2003, 07:38 AM

Thanks guys,

Asking the questions sometimes helps me come up with my own answers, sometimes. I think I'll need to take another look at the indicator circuit and understand how it actually works.

MitchW · #21 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 02:01 PM

Turns out whether you have a generator or alternator you shouldn't have more than 14 volts measured at the battery. So I put in a new regulator and voila the voltage tops off where it should. The indicator light still doesn't work but I've got some replacement bulbs on order. The high voltage must have burned them out.

Mitch

Animal · #22 (**permalink**) 09-26-2003, 04:33 PM

Hi Mitch,

Did you ever get your problem solved with the instrument panel lights? If so, please let me know how you fixed it.

Thanks,
Animal

MitchW · #23 (**permalink**) 09-27-2003, 05:55 PM

Hi Animal,

yep, it was the regulator. It was allowing the voltage to go too high which burned out the indicator bulb. I got a new regulator and some bulbs and everything is mostly hunkydory. The voltage is now only about 13 volts which seems low but there are some tests to show whether its the generator or the regulator.