Voltage regulator issue

Post by **LoloWells** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 4:48 pm

At first my battery wasn't charging at all due to a loose dynamo. Now it's overcharging according to a friendly RAC man who didn't know what to do about it. Help! He said it's because the regulator isn't working electrically, though he could get it to work when he pressed on it with a metal thing. (As you can tell, I'm pretty clueless.) Is there a simple solution to this, apart from leaving my headlights on full beam wherever I go? Does anyone know of a morry expert in Shropshire?

Laura

Post by **Willie** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:26 pm

If you are "pretty clueless " you should not attempt to adjust the regulator! However, it is a straightforward job to replace the unit with a new one as long as you transfer one lead at a time. A new regulator is available from any Minor specialist at a reasonable cost. Overcharging
would result in the battery bubbling away whenever you stop the car and
a rapid lowering of the level in the cells. What were your symptoms? If you do attempt to change the regulator then remember to disconnect one side of the battery first!!

Post by **LoloWells** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:47 pm

Symptoms were that the car wouldn't start: it began with a loose dynamo. It was the RAC man who, on fixing the dynamo, found that it was overcharging. The battery is fine, I do need to change the regulator though. So I only need to take one lead off the battery, not both? And which one should I take off first, + or -. (And aren't they the other way round from conventional cars, ie. + means earth?)

I love your car Willie!
L

Post by **markattard** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:35 am

THe -ve lead is the one connected to the -ve terminal of the battery, you just need to disconnect any one terminal (preferabbly -ve on -ve earth cars, ie morris 1000 and later types), to eliminate chances of short circuits.

Good luck!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:15 pm

By why did he think it was 'over charging' - seems unlikely to me if your battery levels are ok. Easy to check with a voltmeter - should be 13.8 or maybe even up to 14.2 volts when charging in daylight - no lights on. I bet there is actually nothing wrong - and the dynamo was just charging up the battery after it had been flat due to the loose fan belt. Try to get a second opinion befor spending any money!

Post by **Willie** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:43 pm

After seeing your symptoms I too would not rush into any repairs. I assume that your 'Loose dynamo' was actually a slack fan belt which he
tightened up. Just drive the car and keep an eye on the level of the electrolyte in the cells, if it drops rapidly accompanied by frantic bubbbling whenever you stop the engine then perhaps you are overcharging but it would be quite rare.