'61 Charging Problem Continues...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
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From: Anaheim California
'61 Charging Problem Continues...
I had the generator rebuilt and put two voltage regulators in and the car is still not charging. Wiring at regulator and generator are good. Battery is about a year old and I polarized the generator. Any other obvious areas to look? Could a blown fuse in the fuse box cause the discharge?
Team Owner
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Army
How are you determining that there is no output ?? Ammeter ??
Perhaps measure across the battery terminals with the engine running about 2,000 RPM and you should get between 13.8V-14.2V.
There is nothing fused in the stock charging/ammeter circuit (unfortunately!)...which is dangerous and many owners add a 30 amp fuse in this circuit for that reason...
However, if somebody DID add that fuse and it IS bad...all power (lights, radio, etc.) would be out...
Perhaps measure across the battery terminals with the engine running about 2,000 RPM and you should get between 13.8V-14.2V.
There is nothing fused in the stock charging/ammeter circuit (unfortunately!)...which is dangerous and many owners add a 30 amp fuse in this circuit for that reason...
However, if somebody DID add that fuse and it IS bad...all power (lights, radio, etc.) would be out...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Apr 18, 2012 at 10:01 PM.
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Polarize the VR? Amp gauge hooked up correctly?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 149
From: Anaheim California
How are you determining that there is no output ?? Ammeter ??
Perhaps measure across the battery terminals with the engine running about 2,000 RPM and you should get between 13.8V-14.2V.
There is nothing fused in the stock charging/ammeter circuit (unfortunately!)...which is dangerous and many owners add a 30 amp fuse in this circuit for that reason...
However, if somebody DID add that fuse and it IS bad...all power (lights, radio, etc.) would be out...
Perhaps measure across the battery terminals with the engine running about 2,000 RPM and you should get between 13.8V-14.2V.
There is nothing fused in the stock charging/ammeter circuit (unfortunately!)...which is dangerous and many owners add a 30 amp fuse in this circuit for that reason...
However, if somebody DID add that fuse and it IS bad...all power (lights, radio, etc.) would be out...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 149
From: Anaheim California
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
Are you using the old style armature & points V/R or a solid-state conversion ??
Also you DO know that the old C1 wiring diagrams had the ammeter connections backwards.
Have you changed the ammeter wiring since it was once working properly ?
How did you polarize the generator (there are two methods depending on the 'type' of generator)?
Also you DO know that the old C1 wiring diagrams had the ammeter connections backwards.
Have you changed the ammeter wiring since it was once working properly ?
How did you polarize the generator (there are two methods depending on the 'type' of generator)?
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Apr 18, 2012 at 10:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 149
From: Anaheim California
Are you using the old style armature & points V/R or a solid-state conversion ??
Also you DO know that the old C1 wiring diagrams had the ammeter connections backwards.
Have you changed the ammeter wiring since it was once working properly ?
How did you polarize the generator (there are two methods depending on the 'type' of generator)?
Also you DO know that the old C1 wiring diagrams had the ammeter connections backwards.
Have you changed the ammeter wiring since it was once working properly ?
How did you polarize the generator (there are two methods depending on the 'type' of generator)?
I have not touched the amp gauge or anything else.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Anaheim California
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You need to hook up a volt meter to find out where your trouble REALLY is. You can quickly rule out the Generator that way. IMO the replacement current FLAPS regulators are junk. They have no adjustment and are mass made to fit many cars. Solid State VR conversion has worked well for over a year now. Make sure that is your problem first and not revesed wires on the guage. Is your battery actually run down or are you just reading a discharge??
Pilot Dan
Pilot Dan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Anaheim California
You need to hook up a volt meter to find out where your trouble REALLY is. You can quickly rule out the Generator that way. IMO the replacement current FLAPS regulators are junk. They have no adjustment and are mass made to fit many cars. Solid State VR conversion has worked well for over a year now. Make sure that is your problem first and not revesed wires on the guage. Is your battery actually run down or are you just reading a discharge?? Pilot Dan
Pilot Dan
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Army
Previous poster is right about the FLAPS V/Rs...many are crap. I'd reconfirm the wiring per the following diagram and then try one more regulator if it were me. (Ignore the reversed ammeter wires of course!)
And just for grins sit in the car with the engine running and pull out the headlight **** with the lights on high beam and see which way the ammeter moves
And just for grins sit in the car with the engine running and pull out the headlight **** with the lights on high beam and see which way the ammeter moves
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Apr 19, 2012 at 07:14 AM.
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Bill
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Army
I think its back to the Passenger Car Manual check out procedures for JT and I'm betting on a bad replacement regulator...although I have seen a cracked brush on a freshly rebuilt generator cause a no-charge condition.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
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From: Anaheim California
I am going to try one more regulator from Napa this time. Is there a separate polarization for the regulator? The rebuilder said he tested the generator after the rebuild. Would a cracked brush show up on his test?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,444
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From: Scottsdale AZ
You havent tried the float test yet I see, 
Take your generator to the nearest large body of water and toss in, if it floats then its a good generator.
If not, the replace with an alternator, this gives you a big jump up to 1963 technology. I love anacronistic technology, In a museum. But if you really want to drive and enjoy your car carfree then at least consider an alternator, electronic ignition and disc brakes.
But you really need to know the voltage in your system at various points before you mess with anything else. JMHO
Take your generator to the nearest large body of water and toss in, if it floats then its a good generator.
If not, the replace with an alternator, this gives you a big jump up to 1963 technology. I love anacronistic technology, In a museum. But if you really want to drive and enjoy your car carfree then at least consider an alternator, electronic ignition and disc brakes.
But you really need to know the voltage in your system at various points before you mess with anything else. JMHO
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 149
From: Anaheim California
You havent tried the float test yet I see,
Take your generator to the nearest large body of water and toss in, if it floats then its a good generator.
If not, the replace with an alternator, this gives you a big jump up to 1963 technology. I love anacronistic technology, In a museum. But if you really want to drive and enjoy your car carfree then at least consider an alternator, electronic ignition and disc brakes.
But you really need to know the voltage in your system at various points before you mess with anything else. JMHO
Take your generator to the nearest large body of water and toss in, if it floats then its a good generator.
If not, the replace with an alternator, this gives you a big jump up to 1963 technology. I love anacronistic technology, In a museum. But if you really want to drive and enjoy your car carfree then at least consider an alternator, electronic ignition and disc brakes.
But you really need to know the voltage in your system at various points before you mess with anything else. JMHO
Team Owner
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Army
Likewise...a generator is a perfectly fine piece of electrical equipment...
Alternators main advantage is that they are cheaper to build...and charge fully at lower RPM. I don't spend much time at low RPMs...
Alternators main advantage is that they are cheaper to build...and charge fully at lower RPM. I don't spend much time at low RPMs...