4 replies to this topic

[Whistles GT]

Voltage Stabilzer - How can I check it's working?

Clubman 1275 GT
1980

Hi, first time post so here goes.

I would like to know if there is anyway I can check the voltage stabalizer to see if it's working properly?

I'm halfway through the rebuild of my GT. The engine starts but the red ignition light stays on. The other problem is that the fuel and temp gauge needles wobble eratically when I give the engines some revs. I've checked Haynes which states it is either the alternator, voltage stabilizer or loose wiring on the charging circuit. I've checked the wiring - that's ok. (and everything is properly earthed)

Is there any way to determine which part it could - the alternator or the stabilizer?

Thanks

[il-barba]

since the red bulb is staying on i would be inclined to check the alternator first

[bert998]

iirc the voltage stabliser should if working correctly limit the voltage to a constant 10.5v. Simply check the output of the v.s. with a multimeter.

Alternator should be putting out 13.5-14.5v.

[dklawson]

Output from the stabilizer should be 10V but it may not be possible to check accurately with a meter. The Smiths stabilizer is a mechanical device that actually turns the voltage to the gauges on and off to achieve an average of 10V. However, if you can make the gauges flicker by revving the engine... and since the alternator light is always on... you may have issues with both systems as the voltage fluctuations from the alternator should not be passing through the stabilizer. Its job is to filter those fluctuations out.

Sort the alternator out first, then return to the stabilizer. There have been a couple of threads about this recently (including one running now) where I pointed out that the original Smiths stabilizer's are problematic and may be dead right out of the box. I suggested alternate solutions to the stabilizer in the thread currently running.
http://www.theminifo...showtopic=91223

Again, sort the alternator out first then address the gauges.

[Whistles GT]

Thanks for the help.

I'll check the alternator as suggested then look at the stabilizer.