Electrical question

[Jswente]

So I've been fixing up this 95ish conquest and I've got it all together except re-upholstered seats that I should have later this week. So I was playing with it yesterday for a while and I noticed at WOT the volt meter was maxing at 16v and over. I dont have an alternator kit. Is that high of voltage something to be worried about. I know on a car that can lead to a cooked battery but we are also dealing with much higher amp outputs too. Should I throw a new voltage regulator on it or just run it?

[Mike]

Is the battery fully charged? Was this measured on a multimeter or do you have a gauge on the machine?

Try this. Turn on your lights and leave them on for about 10 minutes without the motor running. Attach your voltmeter to the battery terminals and start the engine. Measure the voltage again. See if it is closer to 14V?

[Jswente]

Battery was close to fully charged and that is on the meter that's on the machine. I'll try the lights and then starting tomorrow. I want to make sure I have l the kinks out of it before I take off on a 20 mile excursion with the family

[msafi65]

I've max with poor ground and the voltage regulator was unable to function properly. That vehicle burned out the headlights and tail lights every time the voltage would jump up. At heavy throttle it should still regulate at no more than 14.5 volts. Check the ground wiring before spending the money on a regulator.

[Jswente]

I'll trace the ground and clean the terminal bolts good and see what happens, in the mean time I may order a back-up so I've got it. If I don't need it I probably will someday.

[Jswente]

Leaning towards regulator. Checked the grounds and they are good, cleaned terminals still the same story. Found a regulator for $48 so I just ordered it.

[curtisbyrne]

It could be the regulator. Same problem with mine charges are high rate on the meter in the Argo but then drops to 12 again

[Jswente]

It idles at 11ish but when you rev it, it shoots all the way up every time. I just replaced the alt. On a 85 F700 for the same reason, was running it on morning and started smelling something sulfery, pulled back the hood and the battery was smoking. Was cooking it at 18 volts. Don't need a repeat of that 15-20 miles from the truck

[Jswente]

Got my new regulator and put it in and POOF it charges like a charm now

[curtisbyrne]

Hopefully the case with mine to. Say if the regulator is not working anymore will the lights still work properly or will they blow?

[Jswente]

I got mine from maverick mower parts and it is a stens brand which from what I could tell is factory/just as good. VS cheap aftermarket. Price was good $55 with shipping I believe and the delivery was very fast. As far as the lights are concerned I didn't have the lights on but in theory yes they will blow if the voltage is to high. Just like household lights if you over power them the filament isn't designed for that load and will burn up.

[curtisbyrne]

Ok