Tankman 3,514 #1 Posted September 24, 2014 Workin' on the Work Horse but, looks like another problem. The 16 hp Briggs & Stratton is running, still cleaning other stuff. We idle run the engine up to 15 minutes each day. Mind ya, this poor Horsey was sittin' in a barn for eight or ten years, poor thing! When we turn on the lights, engine runs with steady dim light. I do have a Fluke volt meter and amp meter. Where should I begin, this 'lectric stuff is a bit shocking to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,547 #2 Posted September 24, 2014 Try running the engine wide open with the lights on. They should brighten up. The Briggs has an unregulated power supply for the lights. The faster it runs, the more voltage output. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,514 #3 Posted September 24, 2014 Thanks Old Red Rider! I'll give it a try and get back to you. Thanks again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,287 #4 Posted September 24, 2014 Paul is right. I think the Briggs has a dual charging circuit, a steady one for charging the battery and the other for accessories (headlights). The headlight brightness is directly related to engine RPM's. Mike.......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,937 #5 Posted September 24, 2014 Hammer down... put the pedal to the metal Tankman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,514 #6 Posted September 24, 2014 Paul is correct. I just tried. When running I get 12.8 VDC at the battery. Acceptable? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,514 #7 Posted September 24, 2014 (edited) Another thought, might a capacitor in the light + volt side keep the circuit constant? Edited September 25, 2014 by Tankman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbartlett1958 96 #8 Posted September 25, 2014 Paul is correct. I just tried. When running I get 12.8 VDC at the battery. Acceptable? 12.8 volts seems a bit on the low side. As long as it keeps the battery charged I guess you are OK. Time will tell. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Save Old Iron 1,563 #9 Posted September 25, 2014 Another thought, might a capacitor in the light + volt side keep the circuit constant? Nope. The voltage is AC. To use a capacitor, you would need to convert the AC to DC (cuts the AC voltage in half) then filter the pulsing DC with a capacitor. All kinds of losses introduced. I suppose one could design a circuit that powers the headlights from the AC tap of the stator when the engine is at 1/2 to full speed, then switch over to power the headlights from the battery when the engine goes below say 1/2 throttle. Best of both worlds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites