All_at_Sea
Well-Known Member
The engine starts fine, and half an hour later the alternater starts charging, why the delay? Revving the engine doesn't kick it in, just time! Can it be rectified or something?
alternater problem
- Thread starter All_at_Sea
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nigelmercier
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There was a previous thread about this a few weeks ago, although the delay was much less. Something to do with glow plugs IIRC, and was by design.
Billjratt
Well-Known Member
Define the problem.
Is the ign light on before the engine starts?
Does it go out immediately?
if yes, how do you know the charge rate - ammeter?
Do the engine revs drop when (to quote you) it starts charging?
What voltages are measured across the battery and alternator before and after charging starts?
Is the belt tight? (pulley key etc)
What engine/alternator - just so we can try and imagine what you are looking at.
Edit (just seen Nigel's post) is this a new fault or has it always done this?
Is the ign light on before the engine starts?
Does it go out immediately?
if yes, how do you know the charge rate - ammeter?
Do the engine revs drop when (to quote you) it starts charging?
What voltages are measured across the battery and alternator before and after charging starts?
Is the belt tight? (pulley key etc)
What engine/alternator - just so we can try and imagine what you are looking at.
Edit (just seen Nigel's post) is this a new fault or has it always done this?
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All_at_Sea
Well-Known Member
more info
Yes the light is on before engine starts, and quite bright too
Doesn't go out but dims a bit when engine is started
No apparent engine drop in revs when it does finally kick in
14v across batteries and out of alternater when running, but not sure before it kicks in
Don't know make and model but will find out tomorrow
Engine Ford Sabre 80hp
Hope this helps, it just seems a very long wait and what is triggering it when it does kick in?
Yes the light is on before engine starts, and quite bright too
Doesn't go out but dims a bit when engine is started
No apparent engine drop in revs when it does finally kick in
14v across batteries and out of alternater when running, but not sure before it kicks in
Don't know make and model but will find out tomorrow
Engine Ford Sabre 80hp
Hope this helps, it just seems a very long wait and what is triggering it when it does kick in?
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lw395
Well-Known Member
It can be triggered to kick in by increasing the revs, or by something changing in the circuit.
Such a change could be either temperature or vibration induced.
It's unlikely to get better.
I'd be off to my local car breakers looking for a replacement alternator, if I couldn't find the fault.
Could be grounding of the alternator, I'd check that first. Then brushes, obvious bad connections etc. In the past I've bench tested alternators by spinning them up with a B&D drill while wired to a battery and 1W warning bulb.
Good Luck.
Such a change could be either temperature or vibration induced.
It's unlikely to get better.
I'd be off to my local car breakers looking for a replacement alternator, if I couldn't find the fault.
Could be grounding of the alternator, I'd check that first. Then brushes, obvious bad connections etc. In the past I've bench tested alternators by spinning them up with a B&D drill while wired to a battery and 1W warning bulb.
Good Luck.
Billjratt
Well-Known Member
You didn't say if this was a new development or not, however,the light being on to start with indicates there is current flowing through the field coil, brushes and regulator.
You do mention it is bright - does that infer you feel it is brighter than it used to be? if so, that could be a hint, but at first thought a bright light would involve more field current and a resulting instant big charge which doesn't happen, so perhaps a short around the brush area directing the current past the field coil and thus depriving it until "something" changes?
The image that comes to view is of an accumulation of carbon debris and dust around the brush/slipring area (assuming it's not a SEV marchal - you don't say what type it is)
Some alts have a brush/reg assy which is dead easy to remove in situ (Bosche) so it would be easy to clean/inspect.
You need the 'before -after' measurements to see where the changes occur before going much further I'm afraid, and should add the gnd -> '61' (indicator lamp terminal) voltage to the list.
Does the lamp run dim until the alt kicks in then go out? Is this a 'Balmar' or other 6-diode alternator with external relays controlling the field? - (I suspect it may be something like this is the problem)
We still don't know what we're working with I'm afraid.I've tried googling ford sabre 80 but it's quite old(or could be) so anything could have been fitted over the years.
Please tell : alternator type, isolated? Circuit diagram?(or at least a list of apparently associated components) and before/after volts
You do mention it is bright - does that infer you feel it is brighter than it used to be? if so, that could be a hint, but at first thought a bright light would involve more field current and a resulting instant big charge which doesn't happen, so perhaps a short around the brush area directing the current past the field coil and thus depriving it until "something" changes?
The image that comes to view is of an accumulation of carbon debris and dust around the brush/slipring area (assuming it's not a SEV marchal - you don't say what type it is)
Some alts have a brush/reg assy which is dead easy to remove in situ (Bosche) so it would be easy to clean/inspect.
You need the 'before -after' measurements to see where the changes occur before going much further I'm afraid, and should add the gnd -> '61' (indicator lamp terminal) voltage to the list.
Does the lamp run dim until the alt kicks in then go out? Is this a 'Balmar' or other 6-diode alternator with external relays controlling the field? - (I suspect it may be something like this is the problem)
We still don't know what we're working with I'm afraid.I've tried googling ford sabre 80 but it's quite old(or could be) so anything could have been fitted over the years.
Please tell : alternator type, isolated? Circuit diagram?(or at least a list of apparently associated components) and before/after volts
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All_at_Sea
Well-Known Member
Type,,,,
I am going to the boat tomorrow and will find what the alt is.
I am going to the boat tomorrow and will find what the alt is.
All_at_Sea
Well-Known Member
alternater type
Here it is, a motorola something, does this help?
Here it is, a motorola something, does this help?
nigelmercier
RIP
- Joined
- 20 Jun 2007
- Messages
- 16,232
- Location
- Live in Kent, boat in Canary Islands
Your terminals look a bit corroded, but I doubt that is the problem.
Does nobody else remember the previous thread? I've tried searching for it, but the search facility is useless... [Later] Found it, here
I had to use Google: minutes glow delay site:http://www.ybw.com/forums/
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westernman
Well-Known Member
There is normally a delay before an alternator which is controlled by an intelligent charger will start charging. In my case it is about 30 seconds or so.
I think the delay might be less if you increase the revs.
I think the delay might be less if you increase the revs.
steadyeddy
Well-Known Member
Alternator problems
I had a very similar problem on a generator alternator,the alternator was tested by a Lucas distributor all tested ok.Stillthe same problem it turned out to be the small regulator unit on top held on by two screws.
I had a very similar problem on a generator alternator,the alternator was tested by a Lucas distributor all tested ok.Stillthe same problem it turned out to be the small regulator unit on top held on by two screws.
