Shawn,
I have also had intermitent charging problems on my generator equipped 71
Midget. I have never understood MGs reluctance to include an actual gauge
to monitor the electrical system, unless they don't want you to know how
poorly it actually performs. I recently picked up a voltmeter that is made
to plug into your lighter socket. While this doesn't actually give you a
charging rate, it goes tell you your battery state in volts, and you can
watch the numbers go up and down with the RPMs. It is made by Whistler, the
radar detector people, and has a digital readout as well as
red-yellow-green LEDs for battery condition. This saves having to cut a
hole in the dash to install a voltmeter, or hang a bracket underneath to
bump your knees on. I picked mine up at Wal-Mart for $6 on clearance, but
they may be available other places. Good luck with your problem.
p.s. You must unplug it when parked, or the LEDs will drain the battery
over time.
Mike Ellsworth
71 Midget
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> From: shk <shk@qnet.com>
> To: spridgets@autox.team.net
> Subject: misc. ramblings
> Date: Sunday, September 20, 1998 1:02 AM
>
> >Seriously, though, when you work weekends, can't get any time off, get
> >stuck with a vacation in the off-season, work 3rd or 2nd shift (forget
> >about time with your family!), get forced/mandated overtime (labor laws
> >be damned!) working up to 72 hrs a week/16 hr days, getting little
> >sleep, and spend most of your time exercising your IPC skills
>
> Sounds like air traffic control. We're limited to 10 hour days though.
>
>
> My charging system took a dump today. I was driving home from work
> and I noticed the "ignition" lamp was on. Normally the light goes
> out by 2000 RPM. The car is a '63 with a generator that resembles
> what was original. I opened up the generator and everything looked
> fine in there, brushes are good size and the commutator is in decent
> shape. So I put it back on and drove around a bit. The ignition
> lamp suddenly went out. After some driving I noticed the light
> would stay on until about 3000 RPM and then go out. After I drove
> around a bit more it started behaving normally (light out at 2000 RPM.)
> After I pulled into the garage with the lights on I let it idle for a
> bit and then revved the engine. The lights started to yellow at idle
> and then became brighter as the revs increase. So for the time being it
> seems to have repaired itself.
>
> Unfortunately my voltmeter is in Michigan and I am in California (I am
> still in the process of moving.) Any ideas on what might be the cause
> of my problems? I opened up the voltage regulator and it looked to be
> in good shape. I replaced it a few years back and all of the internal
> contacts were in good condition. I cleaned up the connectors on the
> back of the generator so maybe I just had a bad connection.
>
> Any ideas would be appreciated.
>
> Shawn
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