Dash lights.... Hand brake light and battery light.

[Matt.wook]

Just finished a 6 hour drive to port Macquarie, and as I arrived the handbrake light, and the handbrake light turned on,

Both battery voltages went to 15v.

I'm thinking the reg on the alternator has gone.
Any ideas?

I'm well away from home. And an electrician.
Only had the car for 2 weeks.
****

 

[Old.Tony]

It could be the regulator, that's for sure. They don't fail often, or if they do the failures aren't talked about on this forum. Ericcs had the same problem although his went away - not sure if that was a slipping belt, or something wrong with his alternator.

 

[Matt.wook]

Yea because it still drives fine,
Is it damaging anything to keep driving it?

Funny thing was I upgraded the horn, as I went to toot it at someone for the 3rd time it blew the fuse and then these issues started happening,

I'm thinking reg, but I'm hoping it's something that will just reset,

As there was something mentioned in the previous thread about a dual voltage alternator?
Any ideaS?

 

[tweak'e]

Yea because it still drives fine,
Is it damaging anything to keep driving it?

you will cook the batteries.

 

[Old.Tony]

As above. 15V applied to a 12V battery will boil the battery acid. Because it's a sealed battery, eventually the pressure inside will rise enough for the battery to vent hydrogen. That's not the bad part - who cares if it vents - but once it's gone, it won't go back in. The battery is toast.