wheelman
Valued Contributor
Posts: 2610
Loc: Long Island--New York
Reg: 04-14-07
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07-23-12 10:19 AM - Post#2251199
As some of you are farmiliar with I have had some electric / charging issues in the past when using a lot of accessories .I run 110amp custom built alternator. I have resolved most problems and installed new 850cca battery. But got stuck with a dead battry the other day in a rainstorm --using lights, wipers and AC. I do a lot of short quick 1 mile or less trips with kids so affected charging been using AC a lot in this heat and it really draws a lot from car-- Any Input?
1968 Impala Sports Coupe
Old School
Save a Classic - Crush an Import
"King of the asphalt NOT Queen of the trailer."
My Impala |
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 LRH
Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 65
Loc: USA
Reg: 10-27-08
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07-23-12 09:41 PM - Post#2251475
In response to wheelman
I would guess that there HAS to be something pulling a draw: draining the battery; as short trips like this are no problem for most vehicles with lower rated alternators and batteries. Wipers pull little amps, OE sealed beams, later DOT halogen sealed beams (which pull less) and even Euro-code Halogens with 55/60 watt H4 & H1 bulbs, pull little. The blowers on mid 60's GM's move a lot of air and the fan motor has a 30 amp fuse; as well as one of the few circuits that used a relay in those days; but still the alternator should handle this with ease, even if you used the starter 6 or 7 times in the very short trips. Do you have aftermarket or junkyard radiator/condenser fans also? Some of these fans draw a lot of current even after the very high amp start-up. Check and round-up the usual suspects; glazed/hardened belt that slips, and even more so in rain, trunk/underhood/glove box/etc lights that may be on, but can't be seen under normal conditions, bad alt; even though it charges, bad battery; although probably 85-90% of batteries exchanged/defected during the "in warranty" period are just fine; there is and will be the "bad" battery occasionally. And many more. I hope some others will post a few things I forgot.
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wheelman
Valued Contributor
Posts: 2610
Loc: Long Island--New York
Reg: 04-14-07
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07-23-12 09:48 PM - Post#2251476
In response to LRH
All the Interior relays and switch replaced with NOS ones 30Amp fuse entire wire replaced. Turn signal switch replaced. Headlights are T-3 sealed beam.Battery 2 weeks old. Plan on replacing engine harnesses soon. I am stumped.
1968 Impala Sports Coupe
Old School
Save a Classic - Crush an Import
"King of the asphalt NOT Queen of the trailer."
My Impala |
Edited by wheelman on 07-23-12 10:04 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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LRH
Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 65
Loc: USA
Reg: 10-27-08
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07-23-12 09:56 PM - Post#2251478
In response to wheelman
I have heard of harnesses that have after all the years of heat/vibrations have rubbed together until 2 or more make continuity. A hot to ground of course will blow a fuse/fusible link (no fusible links used these years), but all others can be nightmares to locate/fix. Keep posting what you find; as well as what you guess/think as you keep looking for problem.
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LRH
Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 65
Loc: USA
Reg: 10-27-08
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07-25-12 09:03 PM - Post#2252251
In response to wheelman
Any ideas/progress yet?
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wheelman
Valued Contributor
Posts: 2610
Loc: Long Island--New York
Reg: 04-14-07
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07-26-12 07:21 AM - Post#2252342
In response to LRH
No progress or solution yet. Thanks for asking
1968 Impala Sports Coupe
Old School
Save a Classic - Crush an Import
"King of the asphalt NOT Queen of the trailer."
My Impala |
|
wheelman
Valued Contributor
Posts: 2610
Loc: Long Island--New York
Reg: 04-14-07
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07-26-12 09:00 AM - Post#2252367
In response to wheelman
I Can use lights wipers and heat/AC all individually and voltage meter reads 12-13v idles in park a little high @ 900-1000 RPM's. Problem arises when I operate any 2 accessories simultaneously it doesn't matter which two - in gear or parl the idle drops and voltage reads 10-11 volts so ends up drawing more voltage than car is producing so battery doesn't charge and drains completely.
1968 Impala Sports Coupe
Old School
Save a Classic - Crush an Import
"King of the asphalt NOT Queen of the trailer."
My Impala |
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 jumbojim
"2nd Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 315
Age: 66
Loc: Melbourne, Australia
Reg: 09-25-11
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07-26-12 06:31 PM - Post#2252505
In response to wheelman
Wheelman, I am not too strong with electrical, but I had a couple of thoughts. First, any electrical load as you described would cause overheating of the wiring somewhere. Could you feel for "hot" wires around the ignition switch, fuse block and alternator etc. The fuse block seems to be the 'common denominator' that joins any two things turned on together. Could be a fault in the wiring on the fuse block? Also I think I would check the current draw of the individual components with an ampmeter, perhaps at the fuses and see if anything shows up. Jim
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wheelman
Valued Contributor
Posts: 2610
Loc: Long Island--New York
Reg: 04-14-07
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07-27-12 09:26 AM - Post#2252676
In response to jumbojim
I haven't found anything like that, I do have a brand new full headlights harness I am hoping to replace soon, I am hoping to get the other harness also from the same guy I got this one from. I also have NOS (2) ignition switches and the underhood heater & AC relays IF they need to be replaced --hate to waste NOS parts if ones in car are still good. Headlight, wiper and heater/AC awitches have already been replaced as well as turn signal switch. I'm getting rather annoyed that I can't solve this issue.
1968 Impala Sports Coupe
Old School
Save a Classic - Crush an Import
"King of the asphalt NOT Queen of the trailer."
My Impala |
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