'Fred' was losing fluid and will Wrinklearthur diode
Jumped into 'Fred' and with a flourish turned the key to start ---------------- !! --------------- !! ------------ 00000000000000000 ---- Nothing !!
The battery was devoid of electron pressure, flat as a squashed maggot.
So I had a little look in the top of the battery, it was well down, 'Fred' was losing fluid and this brings a couple of possibilities forward;
The battery is had it, which is unlikely as it is not that old.
Or the voltage regulator isn't working and the alternator is over charging, back peddle to one of my previous posts and you will see where 'Fred' had the alternator die.
Have I got another fault in the repaired alternator?
After adding water to 'Fred's' battery, it spent all day on the battery charger and on the slow charge rate eventually steadied off at 13.6 volts and with the engine running the voltage rate was 14.2 volts, they are the voltages you would expect from a healthy charge circuit.
So I have left things as they were for now and will test the open voltage in the morning, if the battery charge has dropped considerably, I will undo the lead going to the 'B' terminal and check for current drain back into the alternator and depending what I find, I will pull the alternator out and then strip it down to check the diodes for leakage.
So is it fifty lashes at the whipping post to Wrinklearthur for not checking them when I had it apart last?
Well ! The ends of the windings are spot welded together and to separate the alternator into the parts that should be exposed for the diodes to be tested, means that the welded joints need to be dismantled.
What is the verdict of the AULRO jury ?
Is Wrinklearthur going to diode, watch this thread about 'Fred', for the next exciting episode.
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