Alternator charge warning light

[Chris Yates]

On previous cars I have owned I've wired up a light to the alternator exciter wire - with the other end connected to ignition +ve. This lights up when the alt is not running, and shuts off when the alt is charging the battery.

With the 2CV's remote regulator, this doesn't seem possible. Is there an easy way of wiring up a charge warning light?

[Chris Yates]

Ok, I'll answer my own question: no. Not with the standard reg box and alt.

So instead I might buy this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Universal-fit-LED-Alternator-Battery-Warning-Light-Charge-status-monitor-/321811959188?hash=item4aed7ccd94 - pity it's lit up green all the time.

[Sean]

only the "tri colour" the red one fits the bill surely?

[Chris Yates]

I ended up asking the seller of the above link about his products, and he gave me a link to one which only glows (red) when it's over voltage or under voltage (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321811958885) - so it doesn't glow green in your face all the time.

Some of the other similar units on eBay (such as the Gammatronix ones) start flashing red for voltages over 13.3v, so I explained to the seller above that I needed one that would report 'ok' for voltages up to 14.6. He's said that the one linked above will do that, so we'll see. I'll install it hopefully on Monday/Tuesday and let you know :)

[Sean]

when i saw the "Red" ones in your first link I ordered a couple for the road cars...always useful to know when the fans fallen off ;D

[Derek Coghill]

Sounds like bi-colour LED charge indicators for emergency lighting.

[Chris Yates]

Just to follow up on this - I bought the universal red one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Universal-fit-RED-LED-Alternator-Battery-Warning-Light-Charge-status-monitor-/321837997718?

which glows bright red when the alternator isn't charging (as happened to us in the rain as the fan belt wasn't tight enough) and if it detects an over voltage (>15v) it blinks red at you. Other than that it stays off.

I have to say it was very useful during the 24hr, and I'd recommend it - the seller is very helpful and I think he makes them so he knows his stuff if you need to ask a question. It's also simple to install - just 2 wires - a ground and a connection to the ignition switched 12v.