I have a 54 ford car. I am new to 6 volt systems. I took it out last night and the dash lights get bright and dim while driving. I read somewhere about filing the contacts in the regulator and adjusting the regulator. Do I need to work on my regulator or are my symptoms normal? It seems to be charging the battery fine. Thanks for your help. Jason
First you need to check the available voltage and amps at the dash lights with a digital volt ohm meter. Then check voltage and amps output from your generator. Low output could be bad brushes, an open in the generator windings or armature. Also check for lights and IP having a good ground circuit. Then check for excessive resistance in the headlamp switch. Dash lights should not dim at idle. Hope this helps Buffalotrux
Check the volts while you are driving with a volt meter. See what change in the voltage is causing the lights to change. If is isn't extreme, I would not worry about it other than it may get worse. I am guessing that a new voltage regulator would fix it. I never adjusted a regulator and got it to work but then again, I can barely get new to work. Neal
If its just the dash lights, it might be the rheostat built into the light switch to dim the lights. The old thing probably need to be cycled a few time from full dim to full bright to get the internal wipper brush cleaned up a bit. The switch may also be on the way south. Nothing lasts forever and 50+ years is a pretty good stretch.
Do you mean that the while driving down the road the dash lights are bright and then get dim? Or are they bright while driving and dim while sitting at a stop light? If you have an amp meter, does it show a discharge at the same time?
Well I will hook up an amp gauge and start there. The dash light get bright and dim while you drive. Thanks
While driving would point to a poor ground in the dash area if the headlights stay bright at the same time.
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