wedge07

Why is it doing this. Then if i put fans. Lights and heaters on it drops down to 13v n stays at 13-14v if i turn fans. Lights and heaters off?? Any ideas? Blue wire from alternator goes straight to back of clocks as i rewired it?? Missing resistor maybe?

studabear

dodgy voltage regulator most likely. I would not use it chargring at 16v

xr2wishy

iTrader: (2)

change regulator, i have to run a 15v one as otherwise i was struggling to hold enough voltage to charge well due to voltage drops in the electric when engine running.

wedge07

Where is the regulator?

Sjieter

On the side of the alternator, black ( plastic?) thingy.

wedge07

its brand new not even a week old though??

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

How are you measuring the charge? And also is 16V idle or ~2500rpm?

The Focus smart charge system when it is freezing in the mornings will charge at 15V for a while. TBH I don't see why 16V should cause a problem as most components are rated to run up to around 18V anyway. All that will happen you will have more powerful lights, heaters etc.

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

As said you have a regulation problem, I would not use until you have this sorted as it is very dangerous, not only will it blow bulbs etc but it will also be overcharging the battery at the very minimum!

It most likely duff from new, in any case they are very simple to change, held in by two screws if anything like others, you don't need to change the whole unit depends if you are going to do it under warrenty (If applicable)

In any case there around £15 worst case scenario!

Martin

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

The "Smart charge system" and conventional systems are totally different, for a start, smart charge equipped systems have a "Silver Cadium" battery which can handle the higher charge rate, "Lead Acid" can't and as a consquence can explode with a higher charge rate!

Bulbs etc will blow if the power is to much for them!

Martin

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

I know that smart charge is totally different hence why I said when it is freezing outside it will charge at 15V for a while before dropping it down to around 14V (I have an in car voltmeter). And you will find that components have a voltage range that they work within and 18V is quite common for things to work up to. If everything was rated at 12V it would all be out the spout in no time. You are quite right on the battery issue though.

wedge07

I have fitted a 6month old battery out of my 2.0 focus. I have a volt gauge. And it only charges at 15-16v when cold? After it warms up it drops to 13-14v so by the sounds of it your right??

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

In the Focus, yes.

wedge07

No this is in my efi escort rst mate. But had no problems n it been doin it over a week??

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

It sounds like it may be spiking for some reason, I woulden't expect to see 15V even!

Martin

wedge07

Well i was messing about in engine bay and found the blue wire where it had snapped. So might just wire from that blue wire to alternator. N take out my direct wire to clocks out. See if that helps? Im sure its supposed to go through a resistor? So ill let u know tomoz??

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

If the blue wire was broken you would have no charge at all, unless you rev the car fairly hard first, thus you woulden't have a warning light either.

That wire is simply a feed via the dashboard warning light.

Martin

wedge07

no i mean the old blue wire i sacked off. i rewired it straight from alternator straight to clocks, but think im gonna reuse the original blue wire ive found going into engine loom? if u get me?

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

If you have just run your own new cable to the bulb in place of the original one, then it won't make any difference.

Martin

wedge07

oh right yeah so its that black thing thats dodgy n i need swap it?

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

I personally think it's charging too high and the regulator does just as the name suggests, regulates the voltage, so it may be worth trying another one...?

Martin

wedge07

where can i get one from?

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

Bay seems to bring up nyon everything virtually, failing that a decent auto electricans.

Martin

wedge07

i maight try CES cheers for the help