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Tankman

Dim Lights

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Tankman

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.   :laughing-rofl:

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oldredrider

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.

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Tankman

Thanks Old Red Rider!

 

I'll give it a try and get back to you. Thanks again.

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Sparky

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..........

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AMC RULES

Hammer down...   :handgestures-thumbsup: 

put the pedal to the metal Tankman. 

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Tankman

Paul is correct. I just tried.

When running I get 12.8 VDC at the battery. Acceptable?

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Tankman

Another thought, might a capacitor in the light + volt side keep the circuit constant?   :eusa-think: 
 

Edited by Tankman

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dbartlett1958

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.

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Save Old Iron

Another thought, might a capacitor in the light + volt side keep the circuit constant?   :eusa-think: 

 

 

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.

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