Quick way to check the voltage stabiliser
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Morning all
I have a failed coolant temperature gauge and was mucking around trying to test the connectivity. One of the Thing I tried was to hook up a light bulb between ground and the sender wire. The bulb started flashing. I take it this means my voltage controller is working (perhaps not to tolerance, but doing something). Is that right? If so, it's a really quick way to rule out the controller when the fuel / temperature gauges start acting up.
(The temperature gauge started reading something when the bulb was connected so there is no problem with it or the wiring. I ordered a new sender.)
I have a failed coolant temperature gauge and was mucking around trying to test the connectivity. One of the Thing I tried was to hook up a light bulb between ground and the sender wire. The bulb started flashing. I take it this means my voltage controller is working (perhaps not to tolerance, but doing something). Is that right? If so, it's a really quick way to rule out the controller when the fuel / temperature gauges start acting up.
(The temperature gauge started reading something when the bulb was connected so there is no problem with it or the wiring. I ordered a new sender.)
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JonB - Coveted Fifth Gear
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I can't think of any easy way to check the calibration of the stabilizer, other than use an oscilloscope to observer the pulse width of the flash then take that as a ratio of the full interval between flashes and multiply by the observed output voltage at the top square bit of the pulses.
Or get a big capacitor, put it across your test bulb then measure the voltage across the bulb.
Or get a big capacitor, put it across your test bulb then measure the voltage across the bulb.
Bill Williams
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36/6725 S3 Coupe OGU108E Yellow over Black.
- billwill
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Is the Fuel Gauge working
It's also feed from the Voltage Stabiliser
Alan
It's also feed from the Voltage Stabiliser
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
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JohnP wrote:You only really need to know when it is getting a bit empty.
Isn't there a red idiot light for that...
John
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john.p.clegg - Coveted Fifth Gear
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Could be a fault with the tank sender or the gauge. Easiest to try another gauge, I would think.
1970 S4SE/1760cc big valve/SA-AX block, L2s, 45DCOEs, 1978 Jensen GT, 1962 AH Sprite, Alfa-Romeo 159, 1966 Bristol Bus, 1947 AEC Regal bus.
- nigelrbfurness
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Ah.
Unwrapping the insulation from the loom in the boot and checking the wiring diagram reveals that the low fuel switch connection (on the right hand side of the sender) is actually connected to ground. The correct wire (black/brown) was tucked away under the insulation and cut short. I've reconnected it but testing the circuit (by grounding the sensor wire) does not give a light on the dash (it's on the speedometer in red), so I'll have to investigate further.
On the plus side, though, I found the boot light +ve wire (purple) in there, plus a spare ground and some 240v mains 2 core flex (!!) - dunno what that is for, yet. Speaker, perhaps.
Unwrapping the insulation from the loom in the boot and checking the wiring diagram reveals that the low fuel switch connection (on the right hand side of the sender) is actually connected to ground. The correct wire (black/brown) was tucked away under the insulation and cut short. I've reconnected it but testing the circuit (by grounding the sensor wire) does not give a light on the dash (it's on the speedometer in red), so I'll have to investigate further.
On the plus side, though, I found the boot light +ve wire (purple) in there, plus a spare ground and some 240v mains 2 core flex (!!) - dunno what that is for, yet. Speaker, perhaps.
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JonB - Coveted Fifth Gear
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JonB wrote:Yes it is.
However, it only ever registers just over 1/2 full when the tank is filled. There is something going on...
If you have a reading on the Fuel Gauge then the Voltage Stabiliser is good
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
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as Chancer said ..... "if you use an analogue multimeter with a damped display you can get a better idea of the average voltage"
+1 the above...( do you need the damped display ? )
John
+1 the above...( do you need the damped display ? )
John
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john.p.clegg - Coveted Fifth Gear
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I would say yes, the only time Idid it was with a dirt cheap old analogue meter (all y decent ones are digital) and the needle swung up and down rapidly, fine if checking that a lamda sensor was switching but no use for judging an average voltage.
Maybe the cheapies these days have better damping, I think that the amount of damping needed for the bi-metallic regulator would make a meter too unresponsive for general use.
Maybe the cheapies these days have better damping, I think that the amount of damping needed for the bi-metallic regulator would make a meter too unresponsive for general use.
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