Re: The Duchess Project: 1940 Super 8 Convertible Sedan

Posted by HH56 On 2023/6/2 13:31:01

I don't see anything obviously wrong with the regulator but then not everything is in view. The addition of a time limit warning for holding the BAT to ARM connection when polarizing is new but otherwise the instructions are almost word for word what is in the 51 and later Packard service manuals.

With headlights, radio, and heater there should be enough load the charge indicator will move to the charge side although if the batteries are fully charged after the engine is started it may be brief and with exception of headlights only flicker as the accessory is turned on.

I am still a bit concerned about the Optimas in parallel. AGM batteries are somewhat sensitive and batteries in parallel as a rule need to be fairly closely matched. If the internal resistance differs substantially between the two one will get more current than needed while the other will remain essentially uncharged. That generally leads to issues with both batteries. Whether the excessive current draw by itself was enough to damage the regulator I cannot say since the current and voltage sections are supposed to limit the generator output to the specified and adjusted values.