14-01-2020, 05:33 PM
Hi Tatenlyle
When the engine is running, Austin Sevens have one of the most "noisy" electrical systems known to man. Digital instruments, even quite good ones, can be upset by all this noise and read nonsense. One way round this is to use an old fashioned analogue (moving pointer) instrument.
Linking D to F on the generator puts it permanently into "Full Charge" mode. Not the end of the world for an hour or so but not recommended if you are going to drive around all day. It sounds like there may be a fault somewhere and the link was added in a vain attempt to counteract it.
There is no dynamo voltage regulator, the charging arrangement simply relies on the battery to control voltage, so the voltage will vary a bit (Typically 6 to 7 volts) depending on the state of the battery and the current going in or out of it. When working properly (no lights on) I'd expect the charge current to be typically 8 amps on Full/Winter and 4 Amps on Half/Summer when motoring above 25 mph.
As others have commented, modern batteries do not last very well for some reason. Leaving them discharged for more than a short time will kill them off. I leave mine on a maintenance charger at 6.9 Volts when not using the car, and keep an eye on the acid level.
Cheers, John.
When the engine is running, Austin Sevens have one of the most "noisy" electrical systems known to man. Digital instruments, even quite good ones, can be upset by all this noise and read nonsense. One way round this is to use an old fashioned analogue (moving pointer) instrument.
Linking D to F on the generator puts it permanently into "Full Charge" mode. Not the end of the world for an hour or so but not recommended if you are going to drive around all day. It sounds like there may be a fault somewhere and the link was added in a vain attempt to counteract it.
There is no dynamo voltage regulator, the charging arrangement simply relies on the battery to control voltage, so the voltage will vary a bit (Typically 6 to 7 volts) depending on the state of the battery and the current going in or out of it. When working properly (no lights on) I'd expect the charge current to be typically 8 amps on Full/Winter and 4 Amps on Half/Summer when motoring above 25 mph.
As others have commented, modern batteries do not last very well for some reason. Leaving them discharged for more than a short time will kill them off. I leave mine on a maintenance charger at 6.9 Volts when not using the car, and keep an eye on the acid level.
Cheers, John.