Charging Problem??

Here's the place to come to post when you have questions relating to technical issues or mechanical questions on the 1966 model year.

Post Reply
KKV270
Senior Member
Posts: 354
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 1:11 pm
Location: Nairobi- Kenya

Charging Problem??

Post by KKV270 »

Hi.
I have recently been experiencing some charging problems. With full lights on, the car keeps draining faster. I would notice the charging happen on high revs.
What could the problem be? The battery I recently fit in was fairly new...
one thing I know is my idle is pretty low which doest allow for high RPMs sufficient for charging- however, I think that I might have a problem as to get the charging light off, it takes a considerable high revs to see it go off.

Any advice on this? I have also recently fir in 100w head bulbs unlike the earlier 60w I used to operate with. Could that be too high for the system?

During the day, I have no problem whatsoever.
Kindly advice.
Blue Baron
Senior Member
Posts: 879
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:34 pm
Location: Tampa, Florida

Post by Blue Baron »

Could be the voltage regulator. A bad regulator will charge less with higher rpms.

Also, spend some time cleaning all the grounds.
darzoom
Senior Member
Posts: 468
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 10:32 am
Location: Atlanta

Clean Grounds

Post by darzoom »

One simple thing to check is the fan belt to be sure it is not slippng from being worn out or loose. That is a easy thing to check and fix before the grounds. But, check the grounds too.
KKV270
Senior Member
Posts: 354
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 1:11 pm
Location: Nairobi- Kenya

Charging problem??

Post by KKV270 »

Hi.

Thank you for the advice. I realized I put my car on a very low RPM (saving on fuel tactics :lol: ) as whenever I sustain on a slightly faster rev, the light flickers off....however, I suspect a possible problem as well as the light has never ever gone off totally (leaving a very slight light ) since the time I replaced the alternator bearing.

I'll keep you posted once I get down to it.
Thanks guys.
User avatar
Itskyle
Senior Member
Posts: 110
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:35 am
Location: Plainfield, IN

Re: Charging Problem??

Post by Itskyle »

KKV270 wrote:Hi.
I have recently been experiencing some charging problems. With full lights on, the car keeps draining faster. I would notice the charging happen on high revs.
What could the problem be? The battery I recently fit in was fairly new...
one thing I know is my idle is pretty low which doest allow for high RPMs sufficient for charging- however, I think that I might have a problem as to get the charging light off, it takes a considerable high revs to see it go off.

Any advice on this? I have also recently fir in 100w head bulbs unlike the earlier 60w I used to operate with. Could that be too high for the system?

During the day, I have no problem whatsoever.
Kindly advice.
Perhaps your generator brushes are getting worn?
--
66 Bug current (Wife likes better than the Prius)
74 SuperBeetle Auto Stick (Miss that car)
73 SquareBack, Straight Stick (Wife misses this one.)
Blue Baron
Senior Member
Posts: 879
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:34 pm
Location: Tampa, Florida

Post by Blue Baron »

Those symptoms are typical of the old 6-volt system, or a very tired 12 volt.
KKV270
Senior Member
Posts: 354
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 1:11 pm
Location: Nairobi- Kenya

Charging Problem??

Post by KKV270 »

Hi.
PArdon me. I got the problem resolved and forgot to let you know. I adjusted the RPM skightly up and that did it.

Regards.
hercdriver
Senior Member
Posts: 154
Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:55 am
Location: Beaver, PA

Post by hercdriver »

A higher RPM at idle would also help with cooling. :D
(850 RPM's is what I shoot for, 900 would be fine too)
User avatar
Itskyle
Senior Member
Posts: 110
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:35 am
Location: Plainfield, IN

Re: Charging Problem??

Post by Itskyle »

KKV270 wrote:Hi.
PArdon me. I got the problem resolved and forgot to let you know. I adjusted the RPM skightly up and that did it.

Regards.
My father in law has been to Kenya, nut I haven't. I did find a high idle speed goes a long way to heating the bug up quicker.

Kyle
--
66 Bug current (Wife likes better than the Prius)
74 SuperBeetle Auto Stick (Miss that car)
73 SquareBack, Straight Stick (Wife misses this one.)
KKV270
Senior Member
Posts: 354
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 1:11 pm
Location: Nairobi- Kenya

charging problem?

Post by KKV270 »

Hi Itskyle,

Karibu Kenya (welcome to Kenya)
you say "....I did find a high idle speed goes a long way to heating the bug up quicker. ...." I guess the balance is tunning the bug right...as a low RPM may be insufficient to charge the battery, so I realized.
Post Reply