12 Oct
2000
12 Oct
'00
3:02 p.m.
My 1971 BMWR60/5 motorcycle has a similar system. If the Alternator
warning bulb dies, it disables the charging system AND can't warn you
because the bulb is fried.
Firstly, if the lamp burns out, it's likely that
the alternator won't
start (the residual magnetism is not normally enough to get it going). So
the battery isn't being charged. But as the lamp has burnt out, it
doesn't light to show this.
More seriously, if the field winding or brushes fail,
then there won't be
enough current flowing to turn the bulb on (the first couple of regulator
stages take almost no current). Even though the battery isn't charged.
I'm not sure what this lamp is supposed to show,
but the most common
alternator problem -- worn brushes -- doesn't turn it on. Don't ask how I
found this out...
Not to mention my alternator is very weak by design. Just enough to power
externals, ignition, and charging only to the point of maintainence. A
hard start never really is paid back by the alternator unless the ride is
more than 20 to 100 miles.
Jeff
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Jeffrey S. Worley
President
Complete Computer Services, Inc.
30 Greenwood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
828-277-5959
THETechnoid(a)home.com
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