Re: The new battery and the problem

Posted by BH On 2011/12/2 23:24:39
Cap'n -

Think about this for a minute. Practically everyone who drove a 48-50 Packard in winter as daily transportation used the brakes and turn signals with the lights, blower, and radio on at one time or another. If the factory configuration were inadequate there would have been broken down Packards all over the roads, back in the day.

Regardless of whether its a generator or alternator, 6- or 12-volts, positive or negative ground, the battery is only there to start the car. Once the motor is running, all of the electricals run off the "charging" system; any surplus output is used to charge the battery, as needed.

If the charging system is insufficient, then the car will end up running off the battery (when it really shouldn't be), without recharging it. The lights will get dimmer and dimmer and the engine will die. It even happens in modern day vehicles.

Yet, don't let the term "insufficient" immediately condemn the generator or regulator. A higher output charging device might only mask a festering problem - and only for a little while. I've had brand-new batteries with an internal short. Battery problems often begin in the summer, but don't manifest themselves until the higher demand of cold weather operation.

Alas, there is no substitute for "due diligence"; you have to test and rule out each part of the system to get to the root of the problem.

First thing I would do is remove the battery and have it charged and load-tested. The, are the cables from the battery to starter and ground of sufficient gauge and the terminal ends free of corrosion?

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