Bob:
The howling was the alternator after a diode gave up the ghost.
The windings howl as the current flow begins to pulsate after one of the
diodes goes bye-bye =:-(
Moss sells a kit that converts the wiring harness to the more
modern alternator style. As I recall, they do not leave any wires
unconnected, but I could be wrong. Anyway, before you toss in another
alternator and if you are going to upgrade to a modern one, get the kit
from moss or study how they hook it up and then do likewise.
Sorry about your $112 alternator.
Another hapless victim sacrificed on the altar to - "Lucas,
Prince of Darkness".
Vance
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-6pack@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-6pack@autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of rhill
Sent: July 21, 2005 6:03 AM
To: 6pack@autox.team.net
Subject: More alternator questions...
<snip>
And it ran just fine for about 8 minutes (13.8 volts at idle), then
it started to howl, and then the went to 12.2 volts. With a
wonderful smell. I assume that I've just cooked a $112 dollar
alternator. :(
Voltage drops on the cables seem ok.
And here we are. Where did I go wrong?
I see that I can buy new regulators from the usual suspects, but I
really don't want to toast more parts.
I expect that I could install a GM alternator--(when I did one on my
old Spitfire, all it took was a GM alternator, a stack of washers,
and the 2 prong GM plug) for the about 50$.
Or do the bosch/festiva conversion--another expensive alternator,
though, isn't it?
Ack. Ideas, please, Gentlemen (and Ladies).
Thanks--
Bob Hill
'73 TR6
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