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<p class="x_MsoNormal">Thanx, just the advice I needed to diagnose</p>
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<div id="x_divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" color="#000000" style="font-size:11pt"><b>From:</b> Randall <TR3driver@ca.rr.com><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, October 12, 2019 12:12:14 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'Peter Arakelian' <PeterAra@msn.com>; triumphs@autox.team.net <triumphs@autox.team.net><br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: [TR] battery, alternator, or gremlin?</font>
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<div class="PlainText">Most likely a gremlin in the alternator, IMO.<br>
<br>
Kind of dangerous, running around with the alternator stuck on "full on".<br>
The electrolyte in the battery "boils", which isn't water changing to steam<br>
but instead water being separated into oxygen and hydrogen. Normally, the<br>
explosive gas mixture escapes out the vents and dissipates with no harm done<br>
(until the battery runs low on electrolyte). But any kind of spark nearby<br>
can set it off, resulting in a battery explosion.<br>
<br>
I suggest carrying a voltmeter/DMM in the car. Next time it happens (if<br>
there is a next time), pull over and check battery voltage with engine at a<br>
fast idle. If you see more than about 14.4 volts, shut the engine off and<br>
disconnect the alternator for the drive home. Should be no problem driving<br>
for 4 or 5 hours without the alternator and no headlights, 2 or 3 hours with<br>
headlights.<br>
<br>
You'll also know for sure that it's the alternator gone wonky, and not a<br>
shorted cell in the battery. I suppose it's possible for a shorted cell to<br>
un-short; but I've never seen it happen.<br>
<br>
-- Randall <br>
56 TR3 TS13571L once and future daily driver<br>
71 Stag LE1473 - awaiting engine rebuild<br>
71-2-3 Stag - awaiting gearbox rebuild <br>
<br>
> -----Original Message-----<br>
> From: Triumphs [<a href="mailto:triumphs-bounces@autox.team.net">mailto:triumphs-bounces@autox.team.net</a>] On
<br>
> Behalf Of Peter Arakelian<br>
> Sent: Saturday, October 12, 2019 11:58 AM<br>
> To: triumphs@autox.team.net<br>
> Subject: [TR] battery, alternator, or gremlin?<br>
> <br>
> 1971 TR6. Driving home last night I noticed my ammeter was <br>
> at the + sign, half-way between neutral and full. It is a 40 <br>
> mile drive, stayed there the entire way. I stopped to pick <br>
> up a pizza. the car cranked and started as usual after a 20 <br>
> min stop. Ammeter was now halfway between the neutral <br>
> position and the + sign. today I checked volage of battery <br>
> from pole to pole: 12.60 volts. Start the car today, cranked <br>
> and started as usual, ammeter shows normal - slight charge at <br>
> first then to neutral position.<br>
> Battery, alternator, or Gremlin?<br>
> <br>
> Peter Arakelian<br>
> <br>
<br>
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