Coil and overcharging

[Fern]

If the electrical system is overcharging, can it damage the coil?

[HP_Cuda]

I'd be more afraid of the harness catching fire - especially around the ammeter!!!

But yes the stock coil was meant for long life around 8-9V and only got 12V when starting.

[burdar]

What problem are you having?

[Fern]

What problem are you having?

Not sure if it's a problem, but when I started the car the other day the ammeter was all the way to c.
I have a FBO ignition with a flame thrower coil (by-pass the resistor as per their instructions ). I had a the same coil go bad already and wondered if this is a problem. The ammeter dosent always go all the way to c. Just on a couple of occasions.

[cudabob496]

not safe to drive
usually means bad voltage regulator for me
I carry a spare even on the road

[brasil]

check the REAL Voltage at the battery  with a VOLT Tester....  should be around 13.5 -14.5 V while the enigine is running.

Greetings Jurgen

BtW... whre is your coil mounted ? on the INTAKE ? If so...  move her over to the inner fender....  ( much better place for a coil !! ) 

[Fern]

Thanks for the replies. I will.change out the regulator and see if that helps.
Could the voltage regulator work intermediately?
Or does it just die out?

[Bullitt-]

Plenty of electrical issues seem to be intermittent so it's possible the regulator is unreliable but there's two other issues that can cause it not to operate properly.
Often we find the regulator has a poor ground at the mounting to the firewall, less often mentioned is a poor positive connection...the blue wire provides the signal to the regulator to know to turn off or on. IF this wire or it's connections are deteriorated & not showing the regulator a true reading(should approximate the battery's voltage) the regulator will call for more charge than is necessary.
I'd compare the voltage on the blue wire to that of the battery with the ignition in the ON position but the car not running.   

[cudabob496]

Thanks for the replies. I will.change out the regulator and see if that helps.
Could the voltage regulator work intermediately?
Or does it just die out?

they start going wacky, on and off, sending current and voltage all over the place
My amp meter was once pegged at 60 amps all of a sudden.
Mount in cool place if possible, and make sure well grounded

[burdar]

If you haven't already, it's a good idea to run a dedicated wire from the alternator stud to the battery/starter solenoid.  There can be a lot of voltage drop in factory wiring.  A dedicated charge wire will take the load off of the factory weak points.  I have NOT done this to my 73 since it's a stock restoration, has all new wiring and no added electrical loads.  I WILL be doing this on my 68 Dart though.  For anything other then a stock resto, it's a good idea.

[cudabob496]

http://cbodydrydock.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?85379

[Fern]

So I tested the blue wire with the car not running and it was pretty much the same voltage as what it was at battery.
I changed out the regulator and made sure of a good ground and started the car. It went all the way to C for just about 3-4 seconds and then it stayed just a little over center to the C side. Not quite the 5/8 mark, bit close. Is that normal ? Or should it be right at center?

[Fern]

I got a plug in volt meter and it reads good around 14.6 or so (running ).
The ammeter still looks like it's about at 1/2 way between center and C. Does that matter or   is it normal?

[Chryco Psycho]

Voltage is right . load could be high from something though if the needle is sitting that high or it could be a bad gauge