After reading the informative replies, I adjusted the regulator for 14 volts
at the battery. The ammeter now reads 1 to 2 amps on the plus side at
cruising speed and the battery has stopped spewing acid. I think Blake hit
the nail on the head about '50s batteries having a higher internal
resistance. I'll do a little research on that and report back.
BTW: Batteries have a much higher internal resistance when charging than when
discharging.
Another BTW: The voltage spikes on the battery line (when the motor is
running) drive my little digital volt meter crazy. I have to use an old
fashion analog meter to get a good reading.
In a message dated 6/29/00 5:20:34 AM !!!First Boot!!!, BobMGT@aol.com writes:
> The ammeter in my TD has always read around plus 15 amps at crusing speed.
> This amount of constant charging didn't seem right to me, so I hooked up a
> voltmeter and discovered the generator was pumping up the battery to 16
> volts. This sounds too high, but the shop manual indicates the correct
> setting is 15.8 to 16.4 volts at room temperature. The rule of thumb in EE
> circles is 14 volts for charging a car battery. Does anyone know why MG
set
> the charging voltage so high? Does anyone else get +15 amp readings on the
> ammeter all the time? (Yes, the battery is losing water faster than it
> should.)
Bob Donahue (Still stuck in the '50s)
EMAIL - BOBMGT@AOL.COM
52 MGTD - under DIY restoration NEMGTR #11470
71 MGB - AMGBA #96-12029, NAMGBR #7-3336
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