I am running a 59a with only lights on fuse block and have a rebuilt generator, new vr, polarized, I have rechecked my wiring and it looks to be correct according to all the posted diagrams. Yet when I remove the positive battery cable it dies. Is this a reliable check to see if the generator is charging? Does the engine need to be idling at a high speed to keep it charging? I have read previous posts and seem to be doing everything correct but can't figure out what the problem is. Battery is new also. I must be doing something wrong but can't find it. Any thoughts?
digger, You don't mention a volt meter check at the battery,that is the first place I would check to see if its charging or not. N.N.
i would first see if you have the correct voltage regulator. it should be a B circuit. double check with tech who rebuilt it.
First and foremost the engine needs to be running at 800-1000 RPM for a generator to be charging. If it is running fast enough to carry any electrical load present ,the engine will continue to run with one cable pulled. A very rough and ready check for output. As far as the voltage shown at the battery that will vary acording to the state of the battery's charge. IE a low battery needs less [lower] voltage to take a charge than one nearly fully charged. Normal volt readings can vary from just over 12 volts with a low battery to 13.6 -14.4 with a fully charged battery depnding on the voltage regulator settings.
440 Roadrunner: You must never have driven a semi type truck. Tires ARE checked by t******* with a hammer or billy club. A experianced driver can tell by the sound if a tire is a bit low!!
Digger, A good battery with no draw on it( key off) should read 12.5 give or take a couple of tenths. When the car is running you could expect to see about 14.4 or so. If thats what ya got then I would think your ok. Before someone jumps my **** on this I will say these are common numbers I see every day in my shop. The new cars we do see are running higher numbers, but these have todays electronics and require more juice. N.N.
N.N., thank you for the help. 440 Roadrunner, if you read my original post I asked if this was a reliable test, thanks for setting everyone straight. I hope to be as patient as you when I learn more about this hobby.
i believe a way to tell what circuit you have and also to tell if the generator is working is to run it like a motor. run a jumper from ground terminal to arm. then power to field and neg to gen body, that is a B circuit. running a jumper from ground terminal to field and power to arm and neg to gen body is an A circuit. this is how i understand it. someone please chime in if incorrect.
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