Re: ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH A 1981 MODEL 10 HELP...
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:24 pm
Bob -
The standard wet-cell vehicle batteries in your Eagle can be charged to usually 14.3 Volts, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Most automotive chargers (alternator/voltage regulator) are factory set for cut off between 14.3 and 14.7 Volts. As the voltage drops (usually down to about 12.6 to 13.3 Volts), the regulator resumes charging.
With the option of a user-adjustable regulator, I wouldn’t go much higher than 14.7 Volts, because overcharging destroys batteries quickly. Conversely, undercharging destroys batteries too, but more subtly as the battery stratifies and will no longer maintain a charge.
Sustained charging, on the other hand, where the batteries are "floated" at a constant charge with an RV converter or automatic portable charger is usually not done at more than 13.8 V (13.65 V makes batteries last even longer). It's supposed to keep the batteries charged up to a reasonable level without undercharging or overcharging them (the assumption is that they will be "topped off" during travel).
In conclusion, I’d respectfully recommend not futzing with the alternator voltage any longer. 14+ Volts is good enough. Instead, focus on the Voltage Regulator relay as I mentioned in an earlier post. Make sure that the connections are clean and the relay energizes when voltage is applied to contact 85 and 86 is properly grounded. Also make sure that the VR relay is a 6 Volt model. That is, the coil is rated at that voltage to reliably make or break the contacts (see Dan’s advice earlier in the thread).
Please remember that the output voltage from the Alternator/Regulator assembly is fed via wire #97 to contact 86 of the relay K5 (you can test the voltage at terminal T-97 at the C&D panel). Make sure there are no voltage fluctuations or severe ripples.
Give it a try, because I don’t think there is a significant difference between the blower control circuitry of an Eagle-05 and -10. Probably the only divergence is the physical location and implementation of the A/C evaporator and heating coils under the dashboard vs. in the spare tire compartment – although I am not sure, since I don’t have Eagle-05 schematic diagrams handy.
All best wishes,
Chris
The standard wet-cell vehicle batteries in your Eagle can be charged to usually 14.3 Volts, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Most automotive chargers (alternator/voltage regulator) are factory set for cut off between 14.3 and 14.7 Volts. As the voltage drops (usually down to about 12.6 to 13.3 Volts), the regulator resumes charging.
With the option of a user-adjustable regulator, I wouldn’t go much higher than 14.7 Volts, because overcharging destroys batteries quickly. Conversely, undercharging destroys batteries too, but more subtly as the battery stratifies and will no longer maintain a charge.
Sustained charging, on the other hand, where the batteries are "floated" at a constant charge with an RV converter or automatic portable charger is usually not done at more than 13.8 V (13.65 V makes batteries last even longer). It's supposed to keep the batteries charged up to a reasonable level without undercharging or overcharging them (the assumption is that they will be "topped off" during travel).
In conclusion, I’d respectfully recommend not futzing with the alternator voltage any longer. 14+ Volts is good enough. Instead, focus on the Voltage Regulator relay as I mentioned in an earlier post. Make sure that the connections are clean and the relay energizes when voltage is applied to contact 85 and 86 is properly grounded. Also make sure that the VR relay is a 6 Volt model. That is, the coil is rated at that voltage to reliably make or break the contacts (see Dan’s advice earlier in the thread).
Please remember that the output voltage from the Alternator/Regulator assembly is fed via wire #97 to contact 86 of the relay K5 (you can test the voltage at terminal T-97 at the C&D panel). Make sure there are no voltage fluctuations or severe ripples.
Give it a try, because I don’t think there is a significant difference between the blower control circuitry of an Eagle-05 and -10. Probably the only divergence is the physical location and implementation of the A/C evaporator and heating coils under the dashboard vs. in the spare tire compartment – although I am not sure, since I don’t have Eagle-05 schematic diagrams handy.
All best wishes,
Chris