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[SMD]

Charger arrived yesterday and gave it a full charge. Out of curiosity I measured the battery terminals with multimeter and it read 3.7v. Before charge it was 9.7v

I was expecting a reading of around 12v   

This is my el cheapo meter I'll be using tomorrow

[Bigron]

www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_894769_langId_-1_categoryId_255205

This charger can be left connected forever, as it drops back to trickle charge when bulk charging is complete, but you MUST disconnect the battery fully as it is a pulse charger and the pulsing will affect the electronics in your Omega if the battery is left connected.

[SMD]

I tried again but this time changed to the '200' setting and got 12.9v. Previously I was used 20v setting

[TheBoy]

I tried again but this time changed to the '200' setting and got 12.9v. Previously I was used 20v setting

Sounds like the meter is suspect...

[SMD]

Ok, fitted battery and took some readings

Voltage after fitting battery  12.7v

Voltage with headlights on and engine off  12.1v

Load off, voltage while cranking  11.5v

Voltage at idle  13.4

Voltage at 2,000rpm  13.4

Load + idle  13.0v

Load + fast idle 2,000rpm  13.0v 

[RobG]

Ok, fitted battery and took some readings

Voltage after fitting battery  12.7v

Voltage with headlights on and engine off  12.1v

Load off, voltage while cranking  11.5v

Voltage at idle  13.4

Voltage at 2,000rpm  13.4

Load + idle  13.0v

Load + fast idle 2,000rpm  13.0v

Should expect 14V minimum. Before condemning alternator have you checked earth cables and the crimped cables at battery terminals

[mrgreen]

yes i would suspect the leads as well, if you can get to the back of the alternator to test,would prove it either way

[SMD]

Thanks for the replies gents.

Rob, would this be a visual check and what would I be looking for?

Mr green, would your test would require the alt to be removed?  Am I still checking the same cables as Rob suggested?

[mrgreen]

no it needs to be tested by unplugging it and testing its output with the motor running , i don't know if that's feasable with this motor (i've done it on an old bedford i had!!), and yes i would check the cables that Rob was talking about as these can break down and cause those symptoms as it goes cleaning up the Earth points is never a bad idea, my father used to cover them in vaseline to protect them.

[SMD]

I can check them tomorrow but can someone please give me a few pointers on what I should be looking for.

Does the earth cable run from the battery to the chassis and it this easy to trace all the way from the terminals to the earthing point?

As for the other terminal. Am I just checking wear and tear or feeling if it gets hot etc?

Ta 

[mrgreen]

yes just follow them back and lift the plastic covers to look at the cable going into the crimped terminal usually with vibration e.t.c is where they wear heat is another good indicator

[SMD]

Ok, just been out to check the cables.

The crimped connection has a very slight play but otherwise (from my untrained eye) looks ok. The earth cables from battery to engine and chassis do not get hot after 10 mins running with load. So what else can I check with the wiring?

I have a few questions, in order to gain some basic knowledge so please bear with me  :



I can see two large cables are the earth to chassis and engine. What are the two smaller ones for?




Is this the earth point to chassis?




Where to these? I can see one goes to the fuse box above the battery. What about the other two?




Is this the alternator?