Overcharging !! Puzzeled

[Virginia72SWB4X4]

I parked the 72 about six weeks ago to take care of some mostly cosmetic repairs. I pulled the cluster to have the odometer and tach repaired, replaced instrument bulbs and installed new carpet and seat covers.
I disconnected the neg terminal of the battery when I removed the cluster.
I put everything back together yesterday and took her for a test run. I now have a overcharging problem. At idle the needle is at zero but as th engine is revvd toward 2K or more I read approx. 22 amps. I confirmed the charge rate with a tester. The charge voltge is a nominal 13.8. I cleaned both battery terminals, etc. I don't have a battery tester so I havent checked that yet.

Could I have caused this by removing the cluster? If I had a pinched wire I should see a amperage draw, but I don't.
I have an externally regulated system

Any thoughts?

[Longhorn Man]

It sounds like your battery is weak and your alt is working overtime to charge it back up. The rerason it only does it when you increase the RPMs is becouse the old external reg set up doesn't charge much at all at low RPMs. You can have your battery tested at any major parts store, snd they normally do it for free in hoping you'll buy there battery.

[Virginia72SWB4X4]

Longhorn,


Thanks, you think this would be normal becuase the battery is discharged?
Maybe I'll pull a battery from one of my other cars and try it. At least then I'll see if the symptoms are the same.

Gary

[Longhorn Man]

That would be a good firs step.
your charging system may well just be going out, however, this does sound like just trying to charge a low battery...that or a huge electrical load when you rev it up. (very unlikely)