This exact thing happened to me about 2-3 weeks ago. Its the Voltage Regulator. I got a '66 and i had never messed with the VR. I bought a new battry...and it seemed ok, but my old battry was bulging on the side and also bubbling inside. so i decided to figure out what the problem was...
I bought the tester and the the sweet people here here taught me how to test the things. The battry (fully charged) in car (not running) should be at about 12.6 volts. Then start car - it should be in the 14.0 to 14.5 volts. (I was told 13.8 to 14.7 is OK) I first tested the original set up without new regulator and it was at 15.6 (way too hi) Digital Voltage Testers are cheap ($20.) and you test the volts at the battry posts.
You can get an original looking one or an Electronic one...the local Napa had one (Elect type) for $20. I bought it and put it in just so that it wouldn't toast my new battry. It took the volts down to 14.3 which is good. The new type VR is about 1/3 the size of orig one. It is ok but i ordered an original one - because the newer type are all silver & looks dumb. Too 2012ish for me.
Need to also make sure all the cables to & from the battry are clean. And all ground cables. But im betting that the VR is the problem. I do also have a fairly new Alternator too...last summer. Napa has them cheap...$50. They aren't exactly perfect - pulleys are black and should be gold anodized color. The fan has 16 blades but is supposed to have 13. (i think - I might be backwards) Pulleys and fan both supposed to be that gold anodized color. :yup:
This is a great site...everyone really helps you out when you need it. Thx for joining!
Good luck, Ken
I bought the tester and the the sweet people here here taught me how to test the things. The battry (fully charged) in car (not running) should be at about 12.6 volts. Then start car - it should be in the 14.0 to 14.5 volts. (I was told 13.8 to 14.7 is OK) I first tested the original set up without new regulator and it was at 15.6 (way too hi) Digital Voltage Testers are cheap ($20.) and you test the volts at the battry posts.
You can get an original looking one or an Electronic one...the local Napa had one (Elect type) for $20. I bought it and put it in just so that it wouldn't toast my new battry. It took the volts down to 14.3 which is good. The new type VR is about 1/3 the size of orig one. It is ok but i ordered an original one - because the newer type are all silver & looks dumb. Too 2012ish for me.
Need to also make sure all the cables to & from the battry are clean. And all ground cables. But im betting that the VR is the problem. I do also have a fairly new Alternator too...last summer. Napa has them cheap...$50. They aren't exactly perfect - pulleys are black and should be gold anodized color. The fan has 16 blades but is supposed to have 13. (i think - I might be backwards) Pulleys and fan both supposed to be that gold anodized color. :yup:
This is a great site...everyone really helps you out when you need it. Thx for joining!
Good luck, Ken
