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Old 03-11-2018, 11:25 AM   #1
Don S
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Default Alternator not exciting

Car is now out of storage, started up ok but alternator did not kick in to charge battery, Everthing worked fine when put to sleep for the winter. This is total dry storage, no vermin etc. Checked voltage at the alternator ,12.62v ,no amount of reving solved the problem. Thinking that somehow the alternator was kaput, I purchased another,with the same outcome. The only change in wiring since
last fall was to reverse polarity on the coil. I had it wrong.Any thoughts as to what to check ?
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Old 03-11-2018, 11:59 AM   #2
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Default Re: Alternator not exciting

Don,
Did you charge it before start up? If so, the battery is probably fully charged.
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Old 03-11-2018, 01:26 PM   #3
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Default Re: Alternator not exciting

even if the battery is fully up after a start the alt should put out 13.5-14 v
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Old 03-11-2018, 03:54 PM   #4
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Default Re: Alternator not exciting

Had the same problem, was a broke field wire, a little solder fixed it up.
Hint: do not use electrical tape to mask the repair use a cotton string or thin twine
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Old 03-11-2018, 08:27 PM   #5
Don S
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Default Re: Alternator not exciting

Thanks for your thoughts, I do have a voltmeter in the dash, so I can check at any time if the alternator is working. Next step is to check battery connections, after that I will start it and see if problem is gone. Cheers
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Old 03-12-2018, 02:47 PM   #6
Don S
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An update on last post, new(rebuilt) Alternator did not work either, they are bringing in another this afternoon. I took floorboards out this morning,all connections are secure,battery is in good shape.Hope alternator is the problem,I don't know where to check next.
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Old 03-12-2018, 04:57 PM   #7
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Default Re: Alternator not exciting

...

Last edited by Benson; 03-12-2018 at 11:35 PM.
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Old 03-13-2018, 09:21 AM   #8
pbishop
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Default Re: Alternator not exciting

Had that problem after my Coupe sat for a year. You can 'excite' the alternator if it has been lost. I just looked up 'How to excite alternator' on YouTube. Pulled off little black cap on top of alternator and touched wire from output connection on back of alternator to the outside lead. Problem solved.
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Old 03-13-2018, 01:53 PM   #9
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Default Re: Alternator not exciting

Quote:
Originally Posted by pbishop View Post
Had that problem after my Coupe sat for a year. You can 'excite' the alternator if it has been lost. I just looked up 'How to excite alternator' on YouTube. Pulled off little black cap on top of alternator and touched wire from output connection on back of alternator to the outside lead. Problem solved.
yes I never thought about this. if you are running a one wire alt they can loose there field strength if sitting to long. a quick touch with a while while running to the field post and boom away they go usually
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