Date:         Mon, 15 Jan 2001 14:44:53 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: High voltage havoc from coil?
Comments: To: David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

David Beierl wrote:

> At 04:00 PM 1/15/2001, Karen Olson wrote:
> >I had the alternator bench tested and it seemed fine.
>
> Yes, that's not in doubt.  But the alternator will put out 120 volts if you
> let it...I'd seriously suggest to measure the system voltage with the motor
> running at 2500 rpm or so.  If it's showing sixteen volts then you have a
> definite regulation problem.  Or fifteen, for that matter.  Automotive
> regulators will typically hold voltage to about 13.9 max (which is a
> not-very-satisfactory compromise but we won't open that can just now).
>
> david
>
> David Beierl - Providence, RI
>   http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
> '84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
> '85 GL "Poor Relation"

I second David's ideas.
The high voltage circuit from the coil can not supply enough *current* to blow
out a brake lite bulb.
The most likely way it could happen is if the system voltage is too  high when
you happen to step on the brakes.  The voltage regulator should not let it get
very much over 14 V.
Larry
Chicago