The 'E' Type Forum

Just had a replacement Lucas Alternator fitted to my S1. The amp meter now shows a high charge - almost at the C on the amp meter -when cruising all the time . With my old alternator it showed a high charge initially which then reduced to a slight charge during the journey . Is there something wrong? At tickover the meter shows a very slight charge which goes to discharge if I say turn lights on etc. Is there a chance I could overcharge the battery? Thanks

I suspect a faulty regulator. The Haynes manual gives detailed instructions on how to determine if the regulator is gone, but you'll need a digital multimeter to run the test. I went through several weeks of intermittent charging problems with my '65 FHC, before isolating the problem to a poor solder joint in a new (aftermarket) regulator. On a related note, the Lucas ammeter fitted to E-Types has been known to give false readings, so it's worth looking at as well.

Thanks for the reply. I haven't a Haynes manual but do have a multimeter! Any chance you could post the test for the regulator. It's bugging me now - been driving it all day hoping the charge would drop on the ammeter but no luck. It's been a thoroughly enjoyable day though driving around the villages!

Silverspeed wrote:Thanks for the reply. I haven't a Haynes manual but do have a multimeter! Any chance you could post the test for the regulator. It's bugging me now - been driving it all day hoping the charge would drop on the ammeter but no luck. It's been a thoroughly enjoyable day though driving around the villages!

All in the knowledge base.