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Prince of Daarkness

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Fred_Maves

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I am having an electrical issue(s) with my Bugeye. Recently my battery would just be dead. Got a jump start from a friend which got me home. So, I assume that either the battery had enough charge to get me home - or - the generator was functioning. I charged up my battery (+ post disconnected) the next day. The charger read-out indicated "full". When I went to my local auto guru I attached the battery cable and found the battery to be totally dead. I installed a different battery and it started right up. My auto specialist checked my dead battery for defects and found it to be just fine; a bit too old, but fine.
Since, I have followed several on-line bits of advice including John Twist of University Motors. I polarized the terminals on the regulator, checked the generator output, and removed the battery lead while the car was running. The results were:
1. The ignition light remains on after polarizing
2. The engine stops when I remove one of the battery connections
3. The two leads from the generator create only a tiny spark when touched together

I am not sure how the regulator enters into the mix of this, but I can only assume that the generator is in need of replacement or repair, maybe just new brushed.

Advice gratefully requested.

- Fred
 
Do a voltage check on battery while engine off, should be 12.75v-13v. Engine running should produce more voltage 14v. Check voltage from generator to regulator, engine running. Check voltage after regulator, engine running. regulator does have some adjustments that can be made but not a lot. Ignition light lights up for under or over charge. The engine stops when battery unhooked goes towards generator. Might dismantle and clean and check brushes.
 
Cleaning and checking brushes, as Larry advises, would be a good step. I'd try that first. But if you continue to have problems, this may be your chance to replace your current arrangement with a simple "one-wire" alternator. ~Click Here~ to see some. This would be an easily reversible change if you wished to keep the car original. Most folks just leave the regulator and other generator wiring in place after a one-wire swap.
 
aeronca65t said:
Cleaning and checking brushes, as Larry advises, would be a good step. I'd try that first. But if you continue to have problems, this may be your chance to replace your current arrangement with a simple "one-wire" alternator. ~Click Here~ to see some. This would be an easily reversible change if you wished to keep the car original. Most folks just leave the regulator and other generator wiring in place after a one-wire swap.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response! I will go through the steps suggested by fellow members.

I hesitate the switching out of the generator-for-alternator plan only because the cable tachometer drive would be eliminated. I don't suppose there is an adaptor for linking the original tach to one of the alternator types. I would like to maintain the integrity of the original dash gauges.
 
It's possible to pull the guts out of a tach out of a later Spridget with same sized tach and reinsert into mechanical tach housing. When done only you will know.
 
Jim_Gruber said:
It's possible to pull the guts out of a tach out of a later Spridget with same sized tach and reinsert into mechanical tach housing. When done only you will know.
Click to expand...

The Prince of Darkness has been chased away. I cleaned off my armature by rotating it in my drill press with a bit of 220 sand paper. Charges like mad now! Turns out that excessive lube had gotten past the rear bushing . . . next move will be to replace that and likely the front bearing while I'm at it.

Thanks again you guys!

Happy days, Fred
 
Fred_Maves said:
The Prince of Darkness has been chased away.
Click to expand...

word to the wise - don't say things like that out loud. If possible, don't even think it. It is not wise to taunt he who must not be named, don't ask me how I know.

(I'm not superstitious - knock wood) :angel:
 
O.K.,O.K. - Let me just say I may have just made an opportune evasive move. Not that any one of us are ever completely "out of the woods". What seems to bond like-minded Brit Car Guys is the understanding that one must be ever vigilant.
 
Jim_Gruber said:
It's possible to pull the guts out of a tach out of a later Spridget with same sized tach and reinsert into mechanical tach housing. When done only you will know.
Click to expand...


Did I miss something or did you post this in the wrong thread?
 
Yes, take care of that tach drive gen. They are like gold and the replacements from the usual suspects are cobby.

Kurt.
 
But how much?
 
Jim_Gruber said:
But how much?
Click to expand...
good question. I'll bet it's a lot. I've changed the brushes and front bearing in mine. It seems to get the job done. I don't have any accessories that really would necessitate having an alternator. My biggest fear is that the tach drive gearbox will give out someday and I'll be trying to scrounge one of those up. I wonder how hard it would be for a machinist to make some quality innards for one of those?
 
I've got a 1275 going into the BE I bought. I may need to see about refurbing the generator and adding new brushes when I get to the motor stage. But that is at least a year away. Halogen Headlamps and CD and XM likely but not much else. I did find with Bugsy I, I wasn't getting enough driving time in and for quick hops to the grocery store and back being an awful lot of driving at night with headlights on, I did need ot top off the battery with a charger on a regular basis. New brushed and polish job on the armature would likely have easily fixed. Mods were the aforementioned CD Player, XM radio, and Halogen Headlamps.
 
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