[TR] New Alternator for TR4A

[P Caffrey]

Randall and Michael,
I don't know the make of the alternator off-hand.  There
is a pic or 2 below.  
It is connected to the regulator (not internal to the
alternator)....The 
ignition light has not worked since I got the car home.  I
thought perhaps a 
bulb (hoping anyway).  If the red light doesn't come on,
does that point to the 
problem I'm having with the unusual Amp meter
readings?
Thank you,
Pat
http://s727.photobucket.com/albums/ww276/pcaffrey1/TR%20Visit/
________________________________
From: Randall <tr3driver at ca.rr.com>
To: list
Triumph <triumphs at autox.team.net>
Sent: Wed, October 20, 2010 6:21:12 PM
Subject: Re: [TR] New Alternator for TR4A

> Is this normal behavior for an
alternator?  

No.

> Why
> doesn't the meter always show plus or at least
zero?

Something is wrong; an intermittent connection at some point.  I would
start
by double-checking belt tightness, then the grounds between the
alternator,
mount, engine, body and battery.  It might even be worth
temporarily running
a heavy gauge cable between the engine (eg a manifold
bolt) and the bolt
that attaches the battery ground to the body.

Keep in mind
that paint does not conduct, a good connection requires
metal-to-metal
contact.  One way to achieve that without having to scrape
off that expensive
paint is to use "star" lockwashers at every electrical
connection.  The points
of the lockwasher will usually dig through the paint
to find bare metal.

I'm
assuming that the "ignition" warning light on the dash has been
connected
properly and appears to work, ie comes on with the key and goes
off when the
engine starts.

-- Randall 
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