3 replies to this topic

[ROD]

How do you test a voltage stabilizer ?


Here's is what's happening on my centre pinnacle,

I have replaced the temperature gauge with a new one as the old one was not working correctly,

the needle would stick when the ignition was turned off and you would have to tap the gauge to get it to drop back to the stop.

I replaced the Voltage Stabilizer a couple of months ago when refitting the speedo, ( the cars been off the road for some time hence I thought it would be a good idea to fit a new one)


Now I have an over reading temperature gauge and fuel gauge most of the time

Or an under reading temperature gauge/ fuel gauge then suddenly will go up and both will over read.( once the car has been running 20 mins ish)

So I am thinking it's a faulty voltage stabilizer
,
How do I test it and what sort of readings should I be getting?

Edited by ROD, 18 February 2019 - 10:50 AM.

[Spider]

The original Stabalisers works from a Vibrating Reed, pulsing on and off quite fast to give an average output of 10 volts. These can really only be tested with a thermal voltmeter. These use a heating element and a bi-metal strip and are slow acting. In fact, this is how your Fuel and Temperature gauges work. Trying to read the output voltage with a modern digital meter will give wildly fluctuating readings.

 

Some of the new ones are now solid state and these can be measured with an ordinary meter, including a digital type.

 

The correct output voltage from them is 10 volts.

 

By the sounds of it, your Temperature Gauge has reached it's use by date and would be best to have it repaired or replaced.

 

I would start by measuring the output voltage from the Stabaliser and going from there. It sounds like it may have shorted internally or it has a poor earth on the casing of it.

[ROD]

Thank you for your reply,

I have replaced the temperature gauge. This is what's happening with the new one.

I will check to see what the out put voltage is.

[splintercat]

The original Stabalisers works from a Vibrating Reed, pulsing on and off quite fast to give an average output of 10 volts. These can really only be tested with a thermal voltmeter. These use a heating element and a bi-metal strip and are slow acting. In fact, this is how your Fuel and Temperature gauges work. Trying to read the output voltage with a modern digital meter will give wildly fluctuating readings.

 

Some of the new ones are now solid state and these can be measured with an ordinary meter, including a digital type.

 

The correct output voltage from them is 10 volts.

 

By the sounds of it, your Temperature Gauge has reached it's use by date and would be best to have it repaired or replaced.

 

I would start by measuring the output voltage from the Stabaliser and going from there. It sounds like it may have shorted internally or it has a poor earth on the casing of it.

 

 

I had problems with my stabiliser and wa amazed at how expensive they were depending on where you buy them. Having never liked the idea of a vibrating coil set up i bought a solid state chip opened up the old can soldered the chip in the can after removing the old coil set up and reassembled it.....pracically perfect and much more reliable, and indistinguishable for all the purists out there......