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Got a generator question for ya. After I start my '60, the battery shows discharge but quickly comes back to the middle neither charging nor discharging. When I run the engine to 2,000 rpm, it stays in the middle not indicating charging. I left the lights on for a while to discharge the battery and again after I started it, it didn't show a charge. I'm thinking voltage regulator. Drove the car for about an hour yesterday and when I put the charger/maintainer on it, it took overnight for the charger to show green fully charged battery. Thoughts or ideas?
I've just had mixed luck with Generators. The one in my first '60 worked fine as did the one in my '60 Falcon. the one in my wife's '61 Cessna took a long time to adjust the VR to work right. Took 2 points cleanings to get the one in my '68 Ford tractor to work correctly and now haven't had to touch it in over 10 years. Could never get the one in my '50 Ford tractor to work consistently so replaced it with an alternator. My current '60 came with an big Delco alternator (the one I stuck on the '50 Ford) but I "hollowed out" a Delco generator and stuffed a Kubota 35 amp alternator inside so it has no issues but looks period.
I may have nothing to be concerned about. Here are the voltages at the battery running and off. Must be because I keep the battery tender on all the time, the battery doesn't need a charge.
I've have the same problem with my 59. It will show discharging with the lights on and engine NOT running, start the engine, needle goes to the plus side for a few seconds then sits at zero for the remainder of the run
I've have the same problem with my 59. It will show discharging with the lights on and engine NOT running, start the engine, needle goes to the plus side for a few seconds then sits at zero for the remainder of the run
That's correct behavior. You aren't having a problem.
Any help is appreciated. I have a 59 that’s just started to show 0 on the battery gauge. Up until a few months ago It was showing a charge even at idle. And now, when revved up the needle will not move to the positive side. If I turn on lights or brake pedal is activated the voltage drops considerably. The hand held amp meter shows 14.4 at the generator at 2000 RPM. I’m just confused.
Last edited by Larry Red 1959; Aug 21, 2020 at 11:32 AM.
I bought the 56 in 73 and it had a bone stock tach drive generator that worked perfect, and still does. BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT, several years ago, I had to replace the voltage generator.
Also, about 30yrs ago, I ran across an NOS armature for the tach drive generator for $30 (the AC Delco parts store was getting rid of obsolete parts). So, I bought it, swapped it into the 56 generator and it is still working great. I know several guys with 55-57 Chevys and 58-62 Chevys that still have a generator and they do not have problems with charging.
Thus, I'm of the opinion that if a car that has a generator and has good, intact, NON-butchered wiring, and the generator and voltage regulator are up to spec, then a generator charging system should be just fine.
I've just had mixed luck with Generators. The one in my first '60 worked fine as did the one in my '60 Falcon. the one in my wife's '61 Cessna took a long time to adjust the VR to work right. Took 2 points cleanings to get the one in my '68 Ford tractor to work correctly and now haven't had to touch it in over 10 years. Could never get the one in my '50 Ford tractor to work consistently so replaced it with an alternator. My current '60 came with an big Delco alternator (the one I stuck on the '50 Ford) but I "hollowed out" a Delco generator and stuffed a Kubota 35 amp alternator inside so it has no issues but looks period.
Good job!! Did you make any additional changes such as wiring to accomodate generator??
Last edited by 65Bob-bo; Aug 21, 2020 at 12:29 PM.
Reason: c
Generator charging
