Odd event

[Mossbeard]

Yesterday my son and I decided to take the '66 C20 out for a drive. We went about 10 miles, parked, and did some shopping. On the way home I noticed that the "Batt" indicator was pegged on the 'C' side. I thought I smelled smoke so I shut off the engine and coasted to a stop.

We popped the hood but couldn't see any sign of a problem. The alternator (or is it a generator on 66's?) was somewhat hot to the touch. I followed some of the wires off of it and felt the components looking for something that was overheating. When I touched what I found out later was the horn relay the cover popped off but it looked undamaged inside.

We started the engine with the hood up to look for problems. It started right up. The gauge was in the normal range. No smoke, so we drove it home.

This ever happen to anyone else? Any thoughts on possible causes?

My son seemed to think the smoke we smelled was from a farm house we were passing. I have to admit that it didn't smell electrical.

- M