Battery charging and regulator question

[noddy]

I could do with some help.

I think I have a charging problem with my van. Battery never seems to get what I would call a full charge, not sure if this is typical of a dynamo set up. If the interior light are used for the best part of a night camping the start in the morning is sluggish, and if I need to try more than about 4 time to get it going the batter is close to not having enough umph.

Running a dynamo new brushes fitted about 12months ago are still ok, new batter about the same time, good earth connection.

What I would like to know is, if in the past the van was fitted with a replacement regulator 30amp not 38amp would this affect how much juice is put into the battery or is this just typical of a dynamo system, also is it easy to identify which type of regulator is fitted.

Thanks

Ian

 

[Clarkson46]

Firstly, the regulator only controls the voltage the current is self regulating, ie the dynamo will deliver what current the system demands up to its maximum. To charge a battery takes a lot longer than many think. Assuming a cold start on a fully charged battery, it will take at least 5 miles of daylight running to replace what the starter took out, longer at night, if it's raining etc. The interior lights will drain the battery if used for long periods. I'm assuming that you are using the standard Westy setup. What you are describing sounds normal to me.

 

[noddy]

Thanks Clarkson

Ian

 

[creationblue]

I could do with some help.

I think I have a charging problem with my van. Battery never seems to get what I would call a full charge, not sure if this is typical of a dynamo set up. If the interior light are used for the best part of a night camping the start in the morning is sluggish, and if I need to try more than about 4 time to get it going the batter is close to not having enough umph.

Running a dynamo new brushes fitted about 12months ago are still ok, new batter about the same time, good earth connection.

What I would like to know is, if in the past the van was fitted with a replacement regulator 30amp not 38amp would this affect how much juice is put into the battery or is this just typical of a dynamo system, also is it easy to identify which type of regulator is fitted.

Thanks

Ian

I had a simular problem in that the engine always seemed to turn over slowly, leading me to change the battery and check the dynamo........this got worse when hot, so fitted a relay to the starter (see thread). Before I fitted the relay I had to jump start the van, after fitting, the engine spun into life with the same battery fitted. Now starts with very little charge no probs.

Just a thought, might help your issues.

Just