MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Harting Voltage regulator

On my MKII the prior owner{s} installed a Harting voltage regulator and also an amp gauge. Seems to have worked fine for years. However lately the "amp gauge" is showing the charging amps going as high as 30 amps.

Also the amp gauge is a bit jerky, in that it will go to 15 or higher then quickly drop down,then back up,.....and eventually settles down to three to five amps when the battery is charged up.

I am thinking the points are sticking in the voltage regulator.

Can a faulty voltage regulator cause the high amp output and the erratic/jerky readings?


Ray
Ray Ammeter

How old is your battery--might be on the way out

willy
William Revit

Willy,
Thanks for your reply. The battery is less than a year old.

Ray
barneymg

Doubt your instruments at your peril!
Art Pearse

Art, There may be a problem with the amp gauge. Though the erratic high readings do settle down after the battery is charged up after a few minutes of running at fast idle.
Could you are anyone familiar with the operation of the voltage regulator know if the voltage regulator could cause the erratic high readings.

Thanks
Ray
barneymg

Sorry Barney. I am at lost how my question/comments show that you posted them.
I did initially come through your web page to access the
forum.

Ray
barneymg

That's kind of a neat trick. But I had to use a different browser than the one I was already logged in with.

-Del
barneymg

I knew this site's software was outdated, but I hadn't realized it was that bad. Barney should probably fix that link so it doesn't use his access, too...

-Del
D Rawlins

Aw, you can call me Ray if you wants to. Just don't call me late for dinner.

Barney
barneymg

Ray, I guess if the points are sticking it might do anything. I can't see why an ammeter would read erratic high though. They have a shunt resistor around the instrument coil to take the bulk of the current. If that connection went open, I think the coil would burn out.
Art Pearse

Thanks Art,
Since the Harting regulator is not physically the same as a Lucas regulator,the points are not easily accessible. Electrically it apparently works like a Lucas, but internally it is a bit different.

I don't like to throw parts at it without further investigation, but maybe this is the time to do that.

Ray
Ray Ammeter

I bought a new Lucas reg from Moss. It worked right out of the box, no adjustment. It was about $40
The old one had sticky points and nearly burnt out the generator.
Art Pearse

This thread was discussed between 10/03/2019 and 17/03/2019

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGA BBS now