[Healeys] Electrical - general questions BT7

Michael Salter michaelsalter at gmail.com
Thu Feb 19 21:23:09 MST 2015


Hi John,
Yes you can test the generator output at the battery.
Hook a volt meter up to the battery terminals check the voltage then start
the engine. If the voltage increases half a volt or so at 2000 RPM then the
generator is probably OK.
In my experience a battery voltage after sitting a few hours should be
around 12.5 - 13 volts.
My guess would be a problem in the cabling to the starter or the starter
itself.
Connect your volt meter between the power stud on the starter and the
engine, disconnect the coil and watch the voltage as you crank the engine.
It should be at least 9 volts and the engine should crank over briskly.
If it is less connect the volt meter between the engine and the frame of
the car and crank the engine. Should get less than 1/2 volt showing.
If that is OK get a long piece of wire and connect the volt meter between
the battery -ve terminal, the one going to the solenoid, and the starter
power stud. Voltage drop should be less than 2 volts when cranking.
Then do a voltage drop test, the same as you have been doing above, between
the battery +ve and the frame. That tests the master switch and the voltage
drop should be less than 1 volt.
>From those tests you should be able to figure out what is wrong.
If you need help interpreting the results of those tests let me know.

Michael S
BN1 #174


On Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 10:53 PM, John Spaur <jmsdarch at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> I could not start the Healey recently. It was acting like a dead battery
> because the starter would not turn the engine over. I think it is because
> the Bendix spring on the starter had broken but I started trouble shooting
> the electrical system and now I have some questions.
>
>
>
> The battery voltage was reading around 12.64 volts. After charging the
> battery it read 13.06 volts. After driving for 30 minutes the battery
> voltage had dropped down to 12.76 volts or so.
>
>
>
> What should the voltage read on a 12V battery that is about 2 years old
> with monthly driving after a short drive?
>
>
>
> The specs. state the maximum output for the generator is 13.5 volts at
> 1,700-1,900 r.p.m. I cannot test my generator right now, but should I
> expect to read 13.5 volts when I test my rebuilt generator?
>
>
>
> Can I read the voltage output of the generator at the battery terminals
> while the car is running?
>
>
>
> To test the output of the generator the shop manual says to disconnect the
> cables from the generator and to connect the terminals with a short piece
> of wire. I presume it means to connect the terminals on the generator. Is
> that correct?
>
>
>
> Electrical work is not my strong point. Many thanks for any help.
>
>
>
> John Spaur
>
> ’62 BT7
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
*If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.*
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