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Re: TeriAnn's TR

To: triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: TeriAnn's TR
From: egilk@oslonett.no (Egil Kvaleberg)
Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 10:21:51 -0400
Newsgroups: mail.triumphs
References: <abc57f95010210046848@[192.5.5.109]>
In article <abc57f95010210046848@[192.5.5.109]>,
cak@dimebank.com (Chris Kantarjiev) wrote:
> I like Bob Schaller's idea, but not the execution - in particular, there's
> no reason to choose anything but an internally regulated ("one wire")
> alternator today. British Car ran an article about this a couple of months
> ago; the Subaru alts were highly thought of.

The alternators I know of with internal regulation (Lucas and Bosch) has
all one *MAJOR* drawback: The take-off point for the voltage regulator
is all wrong, it is placed within the alternator (naturally), and does
not consider the voltage drop in the feed wire and usually also in the
diodes. 

This makes the charging voltage far too low, in particular with
the headlights on. You will then drive around with a half-charged
battery at all times, greatly decreasing its lifetime and cold start
capability. The charging voltage measured on the battery poles
should be at least 14.1 Volts, more in cold weather.

A well kept and *adjusted* DC generator maintains the charging voltage
much better, in fact. It has three drawbacks:
        * Brushes will need to be changed more often.
        * Charging at idle (tick-over).
        * Slightly heavier.
But in terms of keeping your battery A OK, it is definitely better.

Egil

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