↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Off Topic > High charging voltage
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
discomog



Member Since: 09 May 2015
Location: Notts/Lincs Border
Posts: 2532
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
High charging voltage
I have a Leyland tractor which I have been restoring. I have replaced the main wiring loom, fitted a new 12 volt battery and new voltage regulator. It is fitted with a non vented dynamo. Upon re-commissioning the tractor I checked the voltage to the battery and it is 15.9 volts.

This seems very high to me and the question is will this do any damage to the dynamo or the battery? Unfortunately the voltage regulator is sealed and is not adjustable.

I know we have some good electrical experience out there in the forum so hoping someone can advise me. Thanks. Defender 90XS SW
Mini Countryman Cooper S
Morgan Plus 8
Post #816112 20th Feb 2020 8:40am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1768
United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
Definitely high enough that it won't do the battery any good!

Is it a freshly charged battery, and are there any other electrical loads? I seem to remember that the voltage of a dynamo will increase when it's lightly loaded.
Post #816160 20th Feb 2020 4:12pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
discomog



Member Since: 09 May 2015
Location: Notts/Lincs Border
Posts: 2532
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
No load on the battery. The battery voltage holds at 12.6. Once started the battery voltage increases over the next 30 secs or so and settles at 15.9v Defender 90XS SW
Mini Countryman Cooper S
Morgan Plus 8
Post #816163 20th Feb 2020 4:20pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
lohr500



Member Since: 14 Sep 2014
Location: Skipton
Posts: 1325
United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
I'm no expert but it does sound high. I searched the www and the info seems to suggest a max charging voltage of around 14.5v It makes me think that the voltage regulator has been incorrectly set up when manufactured.

Especially as your battery is giving a good voltage reading when not being charged. I guess if you have one, you could always try a different battery and see if that also gives a 15.9v reading. That would eliminate any question of it being battery related.
Post #816317 21st Feb 2020 3:14pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
discomog



Member Since: 09 May 2015
Location: Notts/Lincs Border
Posts: 2532
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
I've emailed the supplier of the voltage regulator as I believe he may have supplied me with the wrong regulator. The original manufacturer was Lucas which is no longer available. The one I have fitted is a copy, made in India but unfortunately does not have a part or article number on it. The original Lucas ones were available in 11 amp or 22 amp rating so I suspect they may have sent me the wrong one or indeed as lohr500 says there may be a manufacturing fault.

I would like to get the voltage down to 14.5 or just below as I don't want to have to buy a new battery or dynamo. Defender 90XS SW
Mini Countryman Cooper S
Morgan Plus 8
Post #816323 21st Feb 2020 4:17pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT

Jump to  
<  Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2025 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums