Regulator ideas ....... testing or?

[rb1949]

With everything apparently working, there was an unexpected dead battery. After a recharge, it was identified there is a drain on the battery, from somewhere. Suggestions, including posts here, mentioned the regulator. I even copied instructions on how to test it. So far I getting nowhere and confused. With the car running there is a voltage across 'A' and 'B' terminals. With the car not running, there is also a voltage across these 2 terminals. Doesn't seem right.  Removing the cover, I put a piece of cardboard between the points on 'A'. Not running, there was still a voltage. There is also voltage from 'B' to 'F'. What am I doing wrong in trying to determine if it is the regulator? All other electrical stuff is working as should. I'm baffled trying to find what is draining the battery on the '49 Chrysler.

[Jeff Balazs]

I don't think this necessarily means the problem is at the regulator. Have you tried disconnecting the lead to the ammeter to see if there is still a drain on the system?

Just an idea.....

Jeff

[jeffsunzeri]

Assuming you've connected your multi-meter in series with the ground cable to show the load, and then disconnected circuits one by one to indicate which one is responsible for the drain. You did do that, correct?

The most common parasite drain is the clock, followed by an interior light, and then by a badly wired component such as a radio. Fried regulators are pretty obvious from the burned and welded points.

[rb1949]

Disconnecting ammeter stops the drain, because that breaks the circuit to everything else. Bypassed meter to see if that was the culprit. No clock or radio to worry about, interior lites all OK. The regulator 'circuit breaker' coil is supposed to open the points to stop backward voltage.Still not understanding what is going on in there. Replacing stuff is tough when the part cost $90. No voltage from anything that should NOT have voltage when all is off. Getting ready to pull instrument cluster (again) and start rechecking everything behind there. Hoping to find a cause.

[Jeff Balazs]

Tracing down the culprit can be tough. Could be something obvious......or something less so like a loose connection or bad insulation. Try disconnecting one item at a time until you find it. Start with stuff you don't use often like the horn or the heater.

Best of luck.

Jeff

[rb1949]

Break time....or party time. Got it. Gave up on regulator and followed instincts back inside. Got the instrument cluster out, which was good as I wanted to recheck the speedometer. Started playing with the amp meter wires, disconnecting, connecting, jumping back and forth and testing voltage leak at the battery each step. Up popped the one with the drain, I had mis-connected. Only 4 wires there, and mine don't match the wiring diagram. One way, everything works, but car won't start. Change wire, everything works and car starts. Goofy. Obviously leave things connected, that works. The process also had a bonus. Got the correct wire for power to the cigar lighter, and that now works. And got the ignition wire to power the fuel gauge, which did not work before. So far things are looking good after an afternoon project. Started to rain so put it back in the garage. Jumper cables still attached for the connections. Gave the battery a charge, and left cables attached. Will find out in the morning if it's still holding a charge to crank over. Fingers are crossed pretty tight. About as close as you can get. Did I make my goal to use the beast as a beach cruiser this holiday weekend? Weather is questionable with possible rain. Either way the food and beer will make it enjoyable. Hope yours is the same.

[Plymouthy Adams]

In post one you had not made mention of your working the wiring in any manner....was good..did work..now a problem..always revisit what you were working as step one....

[rb1949]

Yes, did do some re-wire. The statement of everything working was AFTER the rewire. Had no problems for 2 days, battery fine. Drove it Monday, and 4 hr later the battery was dead. That seemed to indicate something new had happened, and the regulator became suspect. Easy to get to, but test results were confusing, thus this post asking for help on the regulator.  Getting back up inside to investigate, finally got the cluster out. It could have meant having to remove the housing again to get to items. But got lucky on first choice, identifying mis-wire on the easily accessible amp gauge wires. If wired wrong, why didn't it cause the quick battery drain the first 2 days? That will remain a mystery. Wish I were smart enough to design a PC circuit board to put back there instead of Chrysler's spaghetti bowl. More hindsight thinking, maybe it would be clever to install a fuse block for each circuit? Would that be easier to have one location to check each one? If doing a complete rewire I would do it.

[rb1949]

Got out there this morning. No smoke, no melted wires from sitting overnite. The beast started right up with plenty of cranking power. Happy days. Putting things back together got delayed til noon. I'm getting pretty good at re-installing gauges and gauge wires. All hooked up and back in place. Check battery, no drain. Car starts. Can now finish putting all dash back in place, and hide wires underneath. Then move on to new projects. Questions will be coming for the '49. 

edit: put the grill behind the car. Pork, corn, chicken & taters made a tasty bbq. Happy Holiday.

Edited May 29, 2016 by rb1949