On Tue, 29 Jun 1999, Rob Christopher wrote:
> Our local electrical guru here in Ottawa rebuilt my alt, new brushes,
> new bearings, checked diodes, cleaned and shined some bolts for solid
> connections. But now he says it won't start generating until he shorts
> something with a screwdriver. Forgive my vagueness. He says it pumps
> out lots of juice once it gets going, but won't start up by itself
> without this kick in the pants shorting he has to do. Any hints as to
> what we can do here? Just toss it?
That little bit of 'kick in the pants' is actually called a bootstrap.
(Guess why we call starting our computers 'booting')
First, check to see if your red ignition light is installed, and if it
works. On the TR4 the bootstrap voltage comes via the ignition key, thru
the red light, to the generator (GM alternator in my case). When you turn
the key to "run", with the engine off, the red light glows- this is
actually supplying voltage to the field windings in the alternator-
without this voltage, your alternator is nothing but a bunch of copper
wires being flung around inside another bunch of copper wires.
If the light is burned out you won't get "enough" to bootstrap the
alternator. ...Does it start to charge if you rev the motor? Does it
stop charging when RPMs drop?
...you may want to check out the voltage regluator too; my GM alt. has got
an integral one so I have no idea how to check yours.
-Malcolm
* There is a FAQ for this list! Its new home is:
http://www.islandnet.com/~walker05/triumph/trfaq.htm
|