hello all,
fisrt i want to thank all for helping me out with my charging problem. I put a new regulator in my '50 deluxe and it seems to be rumming. Only problem is since i put it in the ammeter doesn't move at all. It just stays little past discharge, even with engine on or off it's at discahrge. Just two days ago it seemed to be working. i Think i'm holding a charge cause i disconnect a battery terminal while running it at a good speed and it didn't die on me, So i assume the generator is doing it's job. i checked the connections and the wires and all seems good(even though they are a little old and could use a change). Anyways could i just have faulty ammeter or perhaps something i don't know about? i looked in the manual and didn't seem to find anything useful....also it could be that i'm new to this. Anyways i would really appreciate some help ior tips if anyone can help.
Thanks ,
Danny V.
I'm on my first cup of coffee; I'm sure that you'll get some good responses to your problem.
I would get (or borrow) a digital voltmeter, some paper and a pen.
Connect the voltmeter to your battery with the engine and ignition "off."? Write down this reading.
Repeat with the engine running. If the generator and regulator are working correctly, I believe you should get a reading between 6 and 7.5 volts.
You might also see what readings you get with the headlights on, radio on, heater on, etc., or with all three on, and the engine running.
If you are going to charge your battery while driving, and keep up with whatever accessories (radio, headlight, etc.) you are using, you would probably want to see closer to 7.5 volts on the voltmeter with the engine running. Since a generator won't charge at idle, you may have to run the engine at fast idle to get a higher reading on the voltmeter.
If you disconnect the negative battery cable with the engine and accessories "off", then reconnect it, and see a spark as you do so, something is draining power that should not be, with ignition and engine off.
I had to use the voltmeter to check one of our village fire trucks, a '72 Chevy. It had dual batteries hooked up in such a way that the ammeter never moved. Only by hooking up the voltmeter was I able to verify that the generator was actually charging the batteries.
I'm not sure if your ammeter is broken, but someone else will probably know.
Regards,
Pat O'Connor