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i need some help - 7/13/2006 12:07:52 AM

shortbus

Posts: 3602
Joined: 6/27/2005
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anyone want to measure the voltage output of the generator on their H2 and tell me what it is? I'm reading right at 14VDC at 2500 RPM, but if i'm reading the manual correctly it should be closer to 15.5. had to jump start it today, first time since i bought it. nothing left on, no frayed wiring on any of the stuff that i've added, that i could see. any help would be appreciated.

Post #: 1

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 12:14:44 AM

Linus Gump

Posts: 960
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Your alternator could be going. If you get it packed with mud and off road gime and it never gets cleaned out, it could cause the contacts to wear out.

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 2

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 12:22:01 AM

shortbus

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Joined: 6/27/2005
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it looked relatively clean (for my engine compartment, not dennis's), i could see the coils inside it, so it's not packed. i haven't been in mud for quite a while, and the last trip to the dunes didn't involve any salt water. i'm not ruling out a toasted alternator, but was hoping someone could tell me what their's is putting out so i have something to judge by.

(in reply to Linus Gump)

Post #: 3

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 12:33:26 AM

Linus Gump

Posts: 960
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Well, Dennis would be the best to talk to about this, but the volts should remain constant reguardless of the RPM, assuming the voltage regulator is working properly. 14VDC should be right, because the battery is a 12VDC, which is actually closer to 13VDC when fully charged. What you are low on is amps. I would recommend puting a load tester on it to see if it put out the proper amount of amps. Your local Schucks/ Checker/ Kragen autoparts should be able to test it for you for free, although I believe you have to take it off to bring it in.

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 4

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 1:10:30 AM

Greenblade

Posts: 649
Joined: 3/19/2006
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i can test mine tomorrow morning, shortie.

wehre do i put the leads? on the batt?

(in reply to Linus Gump)

Post #: 5

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 1:46:12 AM

shortbus

Posts: 3602
Joined: 6/27/2005
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i checked at the battery and at the output of the alternator. the battery was reading 13.8 and the alternator connector was 14. you have to slide off the boot on the cable on the back of the alternator to get to the connector.

once i got it started, it ran fine. drove it around the neighborhood for a while, when i got back it started right up again. i'm going to let it sit overnight to see what happens in the morning. i haven't added any electronics lately, but i did find some corrosion in the rear winch cable connector. i disconnected the winch from the front connector (had to remove it to open the hood anyway). next step will be to put an ammeter in line to see if there's any current draw when the truck is off and just start disconnecting stuff.

(in reply to Greenblade)

Post #: 6

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 2:15:56 AM

Greenblade

Posts: 649
Joined: 3/19/2006
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well let me nkow if you want me to check anything.

otherwise i'm going to continue drinking. ironically, a pal of mine also has a white H2 and is hanging here this evening. he's almost as demented as i am.

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 7

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 9:07:26 AM

Dennis

Posts: 7584
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I'm not much of a lectricity expert..but I give you my thoughts..

Linus is right on ..The alternator is fine if you're reading 14Vdc at the Battery's terminals..This is called the FLOAT CHARGE or FLOAT VOLTAGE...and should remain fairly constant no matter what the RPM is above Idle..At Idle, it could go down to 13.5Vdc and still be just fine...My first place of correction would be to remove and clean both battery terminals and tightly secure them again, smear a little vasoline on them to help protect from oxidation. next, check the (-) leads connection to the frame..Unbolt it and clean the rust and crap you may obviously accumulated from your coyote travels...Next if the problem still persists, replace the Battery...That's it, simple and sweet.

< Message edited by Dennis -- 7/13/2006 9:09:30 AM >

(in reply to Greenblade)

Post #: 8

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 10:51:37 AM

shortbus

Posts: 3602
Joined: 6/27/2005
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battery terminals are clean, but i didn't check the grounding to the frame. there's a good chance it could use a good cleaning, maybe i'll fire up the sandblaster later today . . . . the bus started right up this morning, so maybe i'm in luck.

(in reply to Dennis)

Post #: 9

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 12:24:24 PM

Dennis

Posts: 7584
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quote:

ORIGINAL: shortbus

battery terminals are clean,

..You actually know this or you are just looking at them?...There could be a film of lead oxide in between the terminal post ant the cable connector...The only way to be sure, is to remove the battery cable ends and use one of those wire brush like battery terminal cleaners on both the female and male parts

, then you'll be sure they're clean.

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 10

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 1:34:49 PM

shortbus

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Joined: 6/27/2005
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they're the side post type that screw into the battery, but i'm basing cleanliness on visual inspection only. it won't hurt to take them off and add some vaseline anyway. i just need the motivation.

(in reply to Dennis)

Post #: 11

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 4:50:56 PM

Dennis

Posts: 7584
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Good...Hit the faces of the posts with a wire brush while you're at it..

You see DC current is real suseptable to interuption by the littlest bad connection...That's why some lighting problems on cars (dim or out) are more than likely bad or cruddy ground points...The connections to the battery are also a weak point and need good clean contact to pass all the current the battery can deliver on start up...A bad or corroded connections is like a big resistor and it will also get hot.

Good luck..

Motivated?..Try 102 heat..Man it's so damn hot right now, that the garage is like an oven.

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 12

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 5:59:06 PM

shortbus

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Joined: 6/27/2005
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only 98 today. supposed to break 100 this weekend. but it's a dry heat, so 105 only feels like 104, damn near need a jacket . .

(in reply to Dennis)

Post #: 13

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 8:58:44 PM

Linus Gump

Posts: 960
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Ok, so we want to talk about heat now, huh? Try 135 in the shade, a kevlar helmet, and body armor that weighs about 20 lbs and a 30 lb machine gun with another 15 lbs or so of ammo, then you mount up into your truck, and with the engine runnign and the transmission working hard with the weight on the truck, the cab is now well over 150, but you still have to keep your gear on. Temps like this and you are looking for a coat at 105. 90 and you are freezing.

just a little prespective of what our troops live with.

(in reply to shortbus)

Post #: 14

RE: i need some help - 7/13/2006 9:06:18 PM

Dennis

Posts: 7584
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Yeah you're right..forgot about what real damn heat is all about..

And not to mention dealing with these God forsaken camel spiders while you're trying to sleep...