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Automotive Voltage
Stabilizers
MECHANICAL STABILIZER: The bimetallic arms are made from strips of carefully selected, dissimilar metals that are laminated together. When current is applied heat is generated, heating the metal arms. Since they expand at different rates, it will causes the bimetal arm to bend in the direction of the metal which expands the least. When the bimetal arm is cool, the contacts are closed and electricity flows. As the current flows through the bimetal arms, heat is generated, enough to warm the metal. As they heat, they bend away from the contacts and the circuit is broken and stopping the generation of heat at the same time. Once the bimetal cools, the contacts once again close, the circuit is complete and the heating of the bimetal arms begins again. By selecting the correct size and materials of the metal arms, a duty cycle (on and off) can be established, based on the expected current draw of the circuit. ( An example: a standard signal flasher may cycle very fast when the extra lights of a trailer are connected. This is overcome by installing a flasher marked "Heavy Duty.") You know you have a bad voltage stabilizer when the gauges read very high: contacts are stuck closed. There is no readings on the gauges: arms no longer close. You get a fluctuating reading on the gauges, from high to low: dirty contacts or tired arms. As these stabilizers were common in many cars, not only British, through the 70's, even if an exact replacement for your car is not available, you may be able to find a good substitute from your local parts store or salvage yard. The modern alternative is to replace the stabilizer with an electronic version. |
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