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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Albany, Oregon
Posts: 15
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hot battery?
My battery (an optima red top) is getting really hot after a 20 minute or more drive, and leaking the fluid out of the top (the place where the foam is). I know this is really bad, but can't figure out why it's happening. I put hte optima in because the last battery (Carquest brand) was leaking fluid out of it's caps as well. Anyone had this happen? new voltage regulator, and the charging system and everything seems to be workign well. Maybe overcharging it?
PS: How tough is it to replace all the underhood wiring (w/ the wiring harnesses, for example, from chevy duty or Year One)? The electrical in this is giving me a migraine!!!! ![]()
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'72 C20 fleet, rear leafs, front coil, 350 w/ 350TH (toast now). Dad's got the '71. A Huge work in Progress... |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Beeville, Texas
Posts: 1,943
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Sounds like it's overcharging the battery. Do you still have the external regulator setup? I'd buy an electronic voltage regulator to replace the old point style ones. You can get 'em from JCWhitney for 10 bucks.
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RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck |
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#3 |
18 Till I Die
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 1,522
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Sounds like a regulator problem. Quick test...run the truck and put a volt meter on the batt post. If it reads over 14v its probably overcharging 15-17v. Most shops have a AVR machine then you will no for sure. If you have a problem with the Reg. or Alt. now would be the time to think about getting rid of the external Reg. and thinking about a 1 wire internal regulator high amp alternator. I put a Powermaster in my 69 and never looked back
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Albany, Oregon
Posts: 15
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Yep. Was the voltage regulator. Freakin' thing was brand new. WHen I upgrade my wiring I think I'm gonna' go to the alt w/ the internal VR. Now, if I could just figure out WTF my alpine keeps blowing every fuse I put in it....
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'72 C20 fleet, rear leafs, front coil, 350 w/ 350TH (toast now). Dad's got the '71. A Huge work in Progress... |
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#5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: "Under Montana skies."
Posts: 1,836
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Reconsider Robert's suggestion below. AFAIK, external electronic VRs are superior to external mechanical VRs. At least, in our trucks.
Quote:
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'71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup. |
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#6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
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the alternator overcharging like it was probably cooked the amp inside.take the cover off of the amp and look for any burnt spots on the board
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Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member. |
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