How do I check charging system

[68 Toadster]

I'm a novice in the electrical area, I need a detailed list of how to check my charging system with very little electrical knowledge.
Anybody up to the task? The car is a 68 1600.
I've moved the battery to the trunk, rebuilt the distributor, put a new head gasket in and now my problem seems to be a lack of charge.
I've pulled off the top of my regulator but I don't really know what I'm supposed to be listening for or looking at. I was told that it is supposed to make a clicking sound. Does it only click when the battery is at a full charge? or at a certain rpm? I haven't heard any clicks. The meter on the dash seems to always show a slight discharge. I have a basic voltmeter, but I just don't know what settings to use and what wires to check.
Would love to get to a meet and see some other cars but I have to charge my battery at home and can only drive a few miles from my house for fear of running out of juice!
Anybody near El Sobrante with a regulator I can borrow to check if thats the problem?
Thanks in advance, Todd-

[S Allen]

With volt meter is hand set for 15V direct current (DC) Check the following: If you battery is fully charged it should read some where around 13.2V. With engine running-hand throttle to around 2500 RPMs you should get some where around 14.2V. Turn the lights on and the voltage should drop off a bit but not to 13.2V. The ammeter should always show a slight charge with the engine running with an intermittent blip to the negative when you put an additional load in the mix such as turning on the lights. A steady discharge with the engine running indicates a charging system problem.

There is also an excellent explanation of general charging systems here. http://www.pacificpowerbatteries.com/ab ... rfaq5.html

You could always take the alternator in to get it tested. Kragen does it for free. New does not mean squat sometimes.

Good luck and persistance does pay off.

Steve

[68 Toadster]

Thanks Steve,
I took the alternator to Kragen and I had to help the guy figure out how to put it on the testor and then we couldn't find the right pigtail to fit the alternator, so no test was done. About the only reason I go to Kragen these days is to get simple things like car wax or oil, I've had so many bad problems buying thier stuff and then having to return it because it doesn't fit! Even brake pads!
I called metric motor works who deals with alternators but they want to have the whole car to test and they charge $90 bucks for it, I've called a few others and they all want to check the whole car, they won't just test the alternator!
Do you know of any easy tests for the regulator?
I've read those charging system pages but they still aren't clear to me.
Thanks, Todd-

[Minh]

You might want to go to Kragen when there is somebody who knows what they are doing at work.

Or go to another Kragen. I go to Kragen a lot and I know who to ask for certain services. The got young guys and girls there who just got out of High School autoshop (if that) working there.

If they not over 25, I don't assume anything.

Sometimes I get nice surprise though... Like the one time this 17 girl impressed me then finding out her dad raised and changed her diapers in the garage. Made feel better about the future for a moment.

Autozone, Carquest and Napa can help you out in this test too.

[S Allen]

Todd,

Unfortunately that seems to be the norm at many chain autoparts stores. I do not know of any tests for the voltage regulator. I am sure you could check voltages but I am unsure what they should be exactly. They are pretty cheap and I believe you can pick one up from an auto parts store. There we go again-huh! Or you could buy one from one of the vendors. Any way they do not cost too much. By just looking at the spare I have for my Z car-they sure look the same-but I could be wrong about that. I have a spare roadster one some where I would be willing to send you if you are not in a big hurry.

Steve

[68 Toadster]

Thanks guys,
I think I finally found a guy at an alternator shop who knows what he is talking about and is willing and eager to test my alternator for free, even says he has some old ones of this type in his garage! I'll take my regulator in too. Hopefully I'll know by this afternoon what my problem is.
Steve I think this is a great resource! I'm not real computer savy, but this site is real easy to use! thanks for all the work! Plus it seems to be a good group of people using it. Makes for a good site all around!
Todd-

[S Allen]

Todd,

Yeah it is kind of a cool resource. There is another "Roadster List" that has been around for years as well. It is mentioned on the main site on how to subscribe to it. I would say 99.9% of the roadster folks are great people. It is funny how these cars span the different age groups and backgrounds. Every one gets along pretty well here. I learn new things about these cars through these discussion too! That is what life is all about--learning new things and meeting(albeit online for the most part) new people. Let us know how you fair with your problem.

Steve