RJT>RJT>> Newer stuff seems in large part to include the regulator _in_
RJT>RJT>> the alternator, I haven't dealt with that much.  Though I might
RJT>RJT>> have some reason to with my current vehicle..

RJT>GW> Yes.

RJT>JB>> my car's like that, well was. the regulator died,  I'm using an
RJT>JB>> external one now. but seing as it uses the same terminal to sense
RJT>JB>> the voltage and get its power to run the field I can't make my
RJT>JB>> warning light work correctly, but I've got a voltmeter so don't I
RJT>JB>> need the warning light much.

RJT>GW> Can even design one for you, if needed...

RJT>Hmm.  Well,  I think I'm going to need to figure out where that
noise is coming
RJT>from that's right around there.  It sounds like bearing noise,  and
if I'm also
RJT>looking at mechanical failure that changes the picture somewhat...

After working on cars for over 60 years, I've found that
"noise" problems RARELY ever go away - they just culminate
in a catastrophic failure at the most inopportune time. Fix
it before that happens on some terribly cold, snowy, icy
night on a deserted road!

Jay

RJT>I wouldn't mind getting into regulator design a bit,  though.  I have a number
RJT>of different batteries around,  some that I'd like to be able to keep charged
RJT>in different circumstances,  including both wet and gel varieties,  and from
RJT>both line and automotive sources.

RJT>RJT> I'm not sure if that's what I'm looking at or not.  There are 
RJT>RJT> times when I have a whole bunch of loads on and all of a sudden 
RJT>RJT> the voltage will drop,  to the point where my "check
gauges" light 
RJT>RJT> comes on.  If I'm running the wipers also, it's pretty obvious 
RJT>RJT> that they've slowed down,  but usually when this happens the 
RJT>RJT> heater blower and headlights are enough to do it.  I *may* need to 
RJT>RJT> replace the belt,  too,  I dunno.  It's pretty worn,  and I have a 
RJT>RJT> new one in the trunk along with the tool to install it, but 
RJT>RJT> haven't been in any big rush to work on it

RJT>GW> That is the first point of call. If you get a drop like that under 
RJT>GW> load it almost certainly means the belt is slipping. It may be 
RJT>GW> enough to re-tension it.

RJT>There's a tensioning idler on that one already,  it's one of those serpentine
RJT>belts,  with the ridges.  The idler runs on the smooth side,  the alternator,
RJT>power steering pump,  and crankshaft pulley run on the ridged side.

RJT>RJT> I know that the alternator was replaced once before I got the
RJT>RJT> car,  so it's not factory original or anything,  OTOH I do have
RJT>RJT> over 160,000 miles on the car (about 30,000 of those since I got
RJT>RJT> it).  There's also something in that area that's making a bit of
RJT>RJT> bearing noise,  I'm not sure just what yet

RJT>GW> Check it out before it becomes catastrophic.

RJT>Weather permitting,  yeah.  Today was a bit warm out,  I actually got the
RJT>windshield washer fluid topped off and got some of the coating of
road salt off
RJT>the car,  but not much else.  And they're saying that we're going into some
RJT>more frigid weather over the next several days...

RJT>The noise has been an intermittent ongoing thing for some months now,  so I'm
RJT>not too worried about it.

RJT>RJT> How did you figure that the regulator was your problem?

RJT>GW> Good question :-).

RJT>No charging?

RJT>--- 
                                                      

---
 þ OLXWin 1.00b þ Polynesia: forgetting many things.