1950 Chevy deluxe battery or generator?

Just bought a rebuilt Chevy deluxe inline six 235 I've had for about a week I went to start it the other morning the battery was dead I jumped it started fine than drove into town parked and battery died the gauge says its charging when I drive but at idle the battery goes dead center than starts to drop until its dead my question is
Is the battery just so dead that the generator isn't charging it enough to support idling?
The the battery just toast?
Or do you think it's the generator?
Also will the generator charge the battery while in park?

I tried tapping the generator and regulator no changes on the gauge and nothing seems seazed up

I know the fundamentals but not nearly enough to troubleshoot issues thanks for any input and direction

 

Generators do not charge at lower speeds such as idle. So if you left the car idling to charge the battery, it is not going to happen. Charge up the battery with a battery charger and go from there. Maybe a bad battery or a draw on the battery when turned off.

If you idle around town with the lights on, you will eventually drain the battery. Watch the amp meter. It is telling you when the generator is charging and when it is not.

Neal

 

Go alternator
For charging around town at idle

 

Thanks guys also what type of alternator would you guys recommend and to install an alternator would it require any further upgrades or is it just a simple swap?

 

Is it a 6 volt? I put a 6 volt alternater in my 51 chevy instead of doing a 12 volt conversion I never have dead batteries any more!

 

Is the car 12v already?
You'll need the bracket for the alt. the lights converters to 12v
A resistor for the fuel gauge also

 

It's converted to 12v

 

Also my fuel gauge is already broke I don't plan on repairing it anytime soon so if I don't get a resistor for the fuel gauge will that be an issue