Mick Day Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I'm re-doing my dashboard & want to have as few dashboard distractions as possible. I'll be fitting dual SPA gauges, one of which is a voltmeter; so what use is an alternator warning light? If I delete this light & join the wires together will this be OK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnty Lyons Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 You cannot join the wires together, but you could replace the bulb behind the dash with a 100 ohm resistor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Day Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 Ah.... good thinking Johnty Forgot there would need to be a resister in the circuit; so might as well just leave the bulb in the circuit behind the dash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 If you join the wires together, the instrument panel fuse will blow when you switch on the ignition. One end of the alternator light is connected to the ignition and the other to the alternator. With the engine off, the alternator-end connection is effectively just a route to ground so the alternator lamp lights. Once the engine turns and the alternator produces volts, both ends of the alternator lamp are at the same voltage (~13.5v) so the lamp extinguishes as their is no voltage difference across it. On most installations, the initial small flow of current through the alternator lamp is used to provide some initial magnetism in the alternator field coils in order to kick-start the alternator into life. Thus, removing the alternator lamp can cause all manner of problems! Chris 2003 1.8K SV 140hp see it here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Day Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 Thanks Chris. I think I'll just tape it up under the dash & use the voltmeter to check on charging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Cautionary tale: When my alty packed up I got the slightest glimmer from the lamp. The thing was charging enough for me to limp home at night without stopping the engine. As soon as I turned it off there was insufficient charge to restart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Whitley Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Hmmm. Mine glimmers when I switch the heater on. Seems to be all right otherwise - 13.5V on the battery at tickover and no sign of the battery going flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Tony, TADTS. The cure is to remove the heater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobW Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Mine glimmers all the time , but seems to work alright !! I always keep my finges crossed though, just in case it doesn't !!! 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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