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Charging System Problems with Sprite

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H

HawaiiCollector

Freshman Member
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I just bought a 1959 Frog Eye with a 1,275 cc engine, 12 volt, negative ground. The car was shipped from California to Hawaii with the ignition key on, a total of about 5 days. Now, even with a fresh battery, the charging system is not working. Does anyone have a diagnosis? I am guessing the voltage regulator is now not functioning, but since the shipping company is going to pay for the repairs I wanted to be sure I did not miss another possibility. Thanks very much. Robert
 
Robert, as I mentioned in response to your introductory post, I would imagine the regulator stuck. But, over in the Triumph forum, there is a thread entitled "TR3 Not Charging." In it, George Hahn gives a checklist for troubleshooting that you may find helpful. In conjunction with what I wrote earlier, you should be able to isolate the problem.
Jeff
 
Being that the key was left on, that would activate the cut-out in the voltage regulator. The cut-out is there to disengage the generator from the electrical system when the engine isn't running, otherwise it will motorize. Since it wasn't able to spin, it most likely burned up the fields and/or amature. It's also posible that the voltage regulator suffered a similar fate.
 
Of course have the generator checked localy first. But here ya go for a professional rebuild, fast.

https://www.starautoelectric.com/

Yep I am afraid I would plan on replaceing the regulator for sure as it malfunctioned causing the problem. Moss or VB is a good source.
 
Many thanks to all who replied to my question about the Sprite charging problem after ignition key was left on for days during transport. I really appreciate your insights and referrals, and I think I now can conduct triage. Mahalo!
Robert, retired in Hawaii with some British iron (smith1127@aol.com)
 
Use to be a really nice Armed Forces Forign Car Club there, In fact I was involved for four years early and mid 1960s.

Good fun.
 
Robert,

Unless I missed something, did you say that you are still running a generator, or was the system converted to an alternator?
 
John, Robert's initial post on this was in the "New Member Introduction" Forum. He stated there that it had a generator. You didn't miss the call on this thread. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jeff
 
Thanks Jeff.
 
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