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| | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 23 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 23 | My stock '48 1 ton 216 cid 6 volt has suddenly developed a phantom load that discharges the battery to dead zero overnight. Just like I left the headlights on...but didn't. The battery is new, generator appears to be is charging fine, new regulator and harness last year. Any suggestions on how to track down this problem?
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy Andrew 1433, I would start by disconnecting the bat wire at the regulator terminal overnight, that must be a pretty high draw, it might be that the regulator is stuck and keeps sending power to the generator when the truck is shut down. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,777 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,777 | Ditto. Take the cover off the regulator and see if the cutout relay points are stuck closed. They're the ones behind the BAT terminal.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
Any chance the interior light is on (I will not admit why I am asking).
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 1,624 | If the above good advice doesn't work. Start by disconnecting your battery. Hook a test light(looks like an ice pick with a lamp in the handle)or ampmeter between the bat. cable and battery. Either side will do. Start pulling fuses and watch the light. When it goes out you found the bad circuit. If the light does not go out then you have a current drain in a non fused circuit. You must lift these wires off their lugs and such to test.
Six volt guy living in a twelve volt world
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 23 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 23 | I was away from here for a few days. Thanks for the good advice. I'll try the tests recommneded focusing on the regulator as soon as I can get to the shop. I have an "ice pick tester" and no it isn't the dome light. Thanks again, I'll get back with the results.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 23 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 23 | As suggested I removed the Bat wire from the regulator and found I lost no charge overnight. Then took a look at the cutout relay and the points were stuck. I freed them up and polished the contacts with a piece of cardboard. No lost charge overnight. This appears to have solved the problem but I will monitor those contacts for a while to be sure. I may even stock a spare regulator for that truck.
Apparently this discharge situation is very bad for generators as the the points are trying to turn the generator into a motor with battery power. Thanks Shark, Tim and Jerry for your advice on this matter. | | |
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