So, towards the end of last summer I’m driving along and my aircraft duel ammeter is flickering all over the place as it has done before when some of the connections worked loose. The sun is shining and I’m concentrating hard on trying to diagnose a clutch fault. Then all of a sudden the stereo cuts out, which is annoying. I then smell hot electrics. I stick my fingers behind the ammeter to wiggle things and ouch, I burn my fingers. I then move my mobile phone holder which is covering up the voltmeter to see a worrying 16volts. I’m a mile from home so stop, let things cool down then make a dash back, fire extinguisher in hand.
Multimeter confirms the volts are now completely rpm related and that the voltage regulator must have gone. I order a replacement and order is restored - correct volts, flat ammeter readings and no bubbling batteries.
All this got me thinking.
When I rewired the van I put most things on their own circuit - there are loads of fuses - except for between the alternator and battery. I understand this is the norm for all cars built before the mid80s. More modern cars have some form of fuse link fitted rated at 100 or more amps.
So, the hot wiring was caused by the increased voltage making the batteries take more charge (amps), the acid was starting to fizz as they massively overcharged. Generally though a flattish battery won’t draw more than what - 30 amps?
Question, would I be wise to fit a circuit breaker between the alternator and battery? If so at what rating? Currently (excuse pun) I’m thinking of fitting two 40amp circuit breakers, one on each battery. Is this too much, not enough?
Multimeter confirms the volts are now completely rpm related and that the voltage regulator must have gone. I order a replacement and order is restored - correct volts, flat ammeter readings and no bubbling batteries.
All this got me thinking.
When I rewired the van I put most things on their own circuit - there are loads of fuses - except for between the alternator and battery. I understand this is the norm for all cars built before the mid80s. More modern cars have some form of fuse link fitted rated at 100 or more amps.
So, the hot wiring was caused by the increased voltage making the batteries take more charge (amps), the acid was starting to fizz as they massively overcharged. Generally though a flattish battery won’t draw more than what - 30 amps?
Question, would I be wise to fit a circuit breaker between the alternator and battery? If so at what rating? Currently (excuse pun) I’m thinking of fitting two 40amp circuit breakers, one on each battery. Is this too much, not enough?