Too much electricity? Blown headlamps and fast fans!

[Dom]

Hi,

A while ago, I pulled away rather enthusiastically, as I changed into second gear at fairly high revs, the headlamps both died at the same time. The bulbs had both blown.

I thought this was odd and imagined the extra revs put the current up a bit high or something. Anyway, I changed the bulbs and all has been good so far.

However, and there always is one, now that its a bit chilly in my very draughty motor, I have had the heater fan on.

I have noticed the speed of the fan varies sometimes, not rev related at all, it happens at different times.

The last time it did this, I looked at the volt meter on the dash and it was climbing right up to the edge of the red (15). It usually sits around 14 or so, this time it was climbing gently and coinciding with the increase in speed of the fan.

This, together with the headlamps blowing makes me think I have a fluctuating voltage/amps (I have no idea). Is this something the Stag suffers from? Do I need to add a voltage regulator of some sort? If so, what are they and where do they go?

Thanks,

Dom

[Stagsongas]

Dom,

If you have a Lucas (or similar) ACR type Alternator, the inbuilt regulator thingy is probably to blame. Had a very similar experience once.

Good Luck


Steve

[V Mad]

As Steve says, its probably the voltage regulator at fault. Most stags have that built into the 18ACR alternator, but on the early (Mk1) cars the regulator is a separate black box mounted on the inner wing.

[Stagsongas]

ACR denotes a unit with an inbuilt regulator.

A non-inclusive regulator item would be marked 18AC for instance. A seperate regulator makes things a little easier sometimes, but you can bin that system, rewire it and convert to an ACR version if you want to. The seperate regulator (AC) system is a throwback from Dynamo days.

Regards

Steve

[tractorjames]

I had an overcharging issue with the stag.

Volt meter would drop to 11v ish and then randomly shoot off the top off the gauge. If it did this when ticking over you could hear the engine labour as the alternator started charging again.

Drove it for a day or two like this and i lost a headlight bulb and a tail bulb.

Got multimeter out and battery voltage was 17v at high idle

Fitted a new regulator and jobs been right since. If your taking the alternator off then repairing it is a doodle. This reminds me i still have a relacation to do.

James

[Dom]

Thanks for all the replies, Ill get on it when the weather is a little better!
In the meantime, drivers door is stuck shut so I have to climb in through the passenger door and Im enduring the usual 'click' whenever I try and start the engine….I just love sitting in the car on a cold morning turning the key repeatedly, as the neighbours walk by and i'm trying to look like i'm just sat there for a good reason