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Conquest over charging

Christopher Storey
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Re: Conquest over charging

Post by Christopher Storey »

I second Sydsmith's views wholeheartedly. My experience of electronic solid state controls, and particularly ignition, has been very discouraging . The CVC type regulators fitted from the 1930s to the advent of alternators in the mid 1960s were wonderfully reliable devices, and were adjustable without any sophisticated equipment - details of what to do are fairly readily available on the net with complete Lucas service manuals ( or more accurately training courses ) being around somewhere . If you want to fit new boxes , beware, however, modern Chinese made replacements for e.g . the RB340 control box which have proved to be very poor quality

Phillmore
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Re: Conquest over charging

Post by Phillmore »

I took it for another drive today and the over charge was much less, 15a maximum instead of 30a at 50mph. I'm now wondering whether the battery was just in a very low state of charge and the system was just doing what it was supposed to or the regulator is 'waking up'. I also saw the needle 'flicking' back a touch as if the regulator points were opening to reduce the charge. Maybe I'll charge the battery and take the strain off the system.
Andy

1954 Conquest Mk1, 1956 Conquest Mk2, 1957 Conquest Century Mk2, 1955 Austin A90 Westminster

terryfrombury
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Re: Conquest over charging

Post by terryfrombury »

Got to say that I think your battery did very well to start the car after three months with no charge. I`m no auto electrician, but I think your idea of putting it on charge for some time is the best step forward.
Cheers
Terry

Petelang
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Re: Conquest over charging

Post by Petelang »

Andy, with reference to checking the voltage, yes, that is with it running.
If it wasn't running it wouldn't be charging, or overcharging.
Static your battery voltage should be around 11.5 to 12.5 volts.
Peter
Peter Langridge
Cloud Nine Classic Weddings, Nottingham.

Phillmore
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Re: Conquest over charging

Post by Phillmore »

I put it on charge yesterday with a battery conditioner (slow charge). This morning it still wasn't fully charged so I put a volt meter across the terminals and it read 20 Volts! Duff battery or is that normal when charging?
Andy

1954 Conquest Mk1, 1956 Conquest Mk2, 1957 Conquest Century Mk2, 1955 Austin A90 Westminster

Phillmore
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Re: Conquest over charging

Post by Phillmore »

Well to all those who suggested the battery I think you're right. It's been OFF charge and resting all day and I've just checked the voltage and it's over 20V so I suspect an internal short causing a resistance.
Andy

1954 Conquest Mk1, 1956 Conquest Mk2, 1957 Conquest Century Mk2, 1955 Austin A90 Westminster

Christopher Storey
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Re: Conquest over charging

Post by Christopher Storey »

I think there is something wrong with your voltmeter . A properly functioning leclanche cell will only ever put out just over 2.2 volts - it's an electrochemical limitation from the lead and acid involved . Thus a properly charged 6 cell battery will only ever put out between 13 and 13.6 volts . A short circuit between 2 cells can only ever lower the voltage, and the same applies to e.g. a crack between two cells. What such a crack does is to turn 2 cells into a single larger cell of 2.2 volts so that the total voltage drops to about 11 volts . I should try calibrating your voltmeter against a known good battery on a car in daily use

Petelang
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Re: Conquest over charging

Post by Petelang »

A battery which has become sulphated can, in some cases show an increased terminal voltage, I have seen up to 15 volts. But, in such circumstances it's usually producing a high level of gassing in the process of trying to break down the sulphate on the plates back to its constituent parts, I.e. Spongy lead and sulphuric acid.
If it gets to this stage it is seldom salvageable.
That said, 20 volts is dramatically high and I think Chris is right that your meter is a bit out on calibration.
Peter
Peter Langridge
Cloud Nine Classic Weddings, Nottingham.

Phillmore
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Re: Conquest over charging

Post by Phillmore »

Interesting, I will check the voltage on another car and see. I don't think I can recalibrate the meter though.
Andy

1954 Conquest Mk1, 1956 Conquest Mk2, 1957 Conquest Century Mk2, 1955 Austin A90 Westminster

Sydsmith
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Re: Conquest over charging

Post by Sydsmith »

Phil If you are using a digital meter, the most likely problem is a low meter battery voltage.

They are not at all accurate, if the battery in the meter is too low. Syd

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