Maybe someone has seen this before and can comment on the problem. I run a 70 amp Denso 3 wire alternator on my flathead powered 32 Tudor. It has been fine all last year. Today, when taking a ride (approx 50 miles), I noticed the Volt Meter reading above 16 volts (it's normally 14.25 volts, 14 volts with the lights on). After I noticed this condition, I stopped the car for a few minutes, then restarted the car and drove on back home. The reading stayed at 14+ volts. I was afraid that the higher reading would damage something: battery, ignition, etc. Has anyone run into this problem? I'm ***uming the regulator is failing intermittantly, but am not sure at all. Any way that I can check it? Thanks for any help Jim Forgot to add: I run the alternator off the rear axle pinion shaft. It turns on at 18 mph, then continues to charge until the vehicle is stopped.
intermittent problems are hard to diagnose, but i would check all charging and battery connections for something loose or corroded that could be "fooling" the regulator. a bad/ low battery or a bad cell will cause the alternator to over charge.
I had an after market(chrome) 65amp alternator do that once. It spiked and a couple times more a week or so later. Followed by failure to charge. Not saying it could happen to you, but that was my experience. Surprisingly, I've rarely had one go out. The chrome one was a surprise to me.
Sound like the regulator is acting up on you easy fix http://store.alternatorparts.com/nippondensodenso-1.aspx
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