Bill:
I happen to know that running an alternator (dunno about the TR3
generator) without the battery connected will fry the alternator. Not
that I have ever been so foolish as to actually do this, of course.
<ahem> I also know that my local auto parts store happens to have
rebuilt Lucas alternators for a song. Once again, not that I have ever
needed to replace one that died due to stupidly being run with no
battery connected. The core charge was only one dollar, too. So I have
been told by someone who actually learned this from experience, but
shall remain nameless to avoid embarrassment. <cough>
So running the car with a dead battery may well cause
aberrations with anything solid state. I would try a set of points to
see if it clear it up.
Vance
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-6pack@Autox.Team.Net [mailto:owner-6pack@Autox.Team.Net] On
Behalf Of Bill & AnnaBelle
Sent: May 08, 2007 6:30 PM
To: Triumph List; 6pack@Autox.Team.Net
Subject: [6pack] Zero Voltage Mystery
It just so happens that if your alternator belt is slipping,
then you are running on battery power, if you happen upon a "Daylight
Safety Zone" (Headlights Required), your battery will be rapidly
drained. At Zero Voltage the car (1957 TR3) will stop ... a little
stumble followed by a large BANG!! And fire out the tailpipe ... no
need to ask how i know this ... with a little help from friends, we
got a minimum charge in the battery, tightened the alternator belt,
push started and away we went, on to finish the Alpine 500 ...
However ... and you knew this was coming ... the engine/car
"vibrated" up to about 2000 RPM. at which time it smoothed out and
ran normally. Now the only "electronics" is the Pertronics "no
points" system.
Finally the question ... could Zero Volts cause the
Pertronics to fail? The coil?, the valve train looks OK ... and the
car ran great above 2000 RPM.
Any ideas greatly appreciated ...
--
Bill Pugh
1957 TR3 TS16765L
aka
Casper
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