While de-bugging my T, I had wiring melt down yesterday. I was just driving along when a strange whine started then stopped two seconds later SMOKE, pulled over jumped out and my new cloth wires running from the generator to the regulator where on fire, pulled out the ****'s and started cutting and tossing. I am baffled as to what happened, it seemed so straight forward, F and A from the gen to the regulator F and A, Bat from the regulator to the + terminal on the starter (which runs right to the bat via the cable) The generator was glowing red inside. Any clue as to what I did wrong? The wires may have been a bit small 12ga, but I dont think that should have caused the melt down.
Sounds like you may have had a short (actually a long). Something went to ground. Could have been one of anything. I probably would have run 10 gauge to the battery but some of the other fellas will tell you 8 gauge to the battery. But I would start looking for a short. Maybe the regulater is the place to start.
Soulds like you may of had a Generator bearing take a dump =the whine.When that happend the gen shorted out and and the volt reg cutout didn't do it's job cutting off the reverse flow of juice. You are in need of a new gen and volt reg. Also use at least 10 gauge wire for the main power wire gen to bat. ,field can be 14.
i had that happen, but it was do to over spinning the generator. Threw the solder right out of the windings.
Yeah the melting insulation is a sure sign that something broke allowing a dead short. I had the same thing happen to me in an alternator. All things break so don't get down on generators. It's not a common problem for alternators or generators. **** happens.
A fuseable link at the battery is your friend. One saved my car from going up in smoke last weekend. Use a 14 GA link with a 10GA wire.
I use one on every car I build after my alternator fire. I used one on my flathead generator even though I had never heard of it happening to a generator at that time. It's cheap insurance.
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