[TR] [6pack] Alternator not charging battery - 1976 TR6

[Frank Burkhart]

Rather than trusting the somewhat vague voltmeter on my ’75 TR6, I installed a USB connector that has a LED voltage readout included.  As the speedometer on my TR6 doesn’t work (another story), I plug in my iPhone into one of the USB ports and run a speedometer app.  Not perfect but much better than no speedometer if you really need to know.  I hard wired in the unit, some work by plugging into the “cigarette lighter” outlet.  When I turn on the ignition, before starting, the readout gives me battery voltage, usually about 12.5 volts.  Once the car is started, the readout is the alternator output - starting at around 14.1 at startup and dropping down to around 13.4 after the car has been running for awhile.  Cost is around $14.00 on Amazon (dual USB charge socket with LED voltmeter and wire fuse kit).


Frank Burkhart



> On Oct 16, 2020, at 8:34 PM, dctr6 at optonline.net wrote:
> 
>    I had my original alternator rebuilt by a local shop (Orange Auto Electric in Newburgh, NY).  That alternator tested at 14+ volts (as opposed to the 13+ I was getting out of the 2 previously purchased rebuilds) and we are now getting 13+ at the battery even under load. Yes, it’s “supposed” to be 14.2 but it’s better than 12 and it appears to be sufficient to charge the battery. At this point I’m keeping my eye on the voltmeter (Funny aside here: Through all this, we never thought to look at the voltmeter) and will occasionally check the battery but I’m hoping that this episode is over.  I now know more about alternators than I ever thought I’d have to.  I’m assuming that the other 2 alternators may not have been rebuilt correctly.
>     Thanks to Dick, Robert, Richard, Dave, John, David, Bob, Rob, Gene, Steve, Brian, Ron, Victor, Robert, Michael, Jim and anybody/everybody else that chipped in with suggestions.  I appreciate it.
> Dennis Culligan, Highland, NY / 1976 TR6 CF57948U  
>  
> From: mohawktriumphs <mohawktriumphs at aol.com <mailto:mohawktriumphs at aol.com>> 
> Sent: Friday, October 16, 2020 5:44 PM
> To: dctr6 at optonline.net <mailto:dctr6 at optonline.net>
> Cc: triumphs at autox.team.net <mailto:triumphs at autox.team.net>; 6pack at autox.team.net <mailto:6pack at autox.team.net>
> Subject: Re: [6pack] Alternator not charging battery - 1976 TR6
>  
> What ever fixed the no charge ?
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my ASUS Pad
> 
> dctr6 at optonline.net <mailto:dctr6 at optonline.net> wrote:
> 
>    Here’s a synopsis – Almost new battery went dead. Charged battery and took car to shop. Meter shows alternator is not charging battery (only 12 volts, not 14.6 as per Dan Master’s book). Buy rebuilt alternator and the same thing happens.  Swap alternator for a second rebuilt unit – same thing, battery is not being charged. Tried 3 different meters – all showed 12 volts.  Hard to believe I got 2 bad rebuilt alternators.  What’s wrong??
> Dennis Culligan, 1976 TR6 
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