The Ford Barn

Ron Lowe · 02-09-2014, 09:19 AM

I always use a Battery Tender for storage. I found my 6V battery to be dead. Had it tested at the parts store and it showed bad. (4 years old) Put in new battery and drove it. I noticed the ammeter was showing 0 charge. I turned on the lights and it went to the usual discharge.Last time I drove it was charging fine(8amps). I disconnected the output wires on the Cut-Out (diode type) to check if it might be closed contacts and that was what drained my old battery. It tested to be open. Now when I try to re-connect the wires to the cut-out I get a huge spark. Is this normal or do I have a problem? I don't remember having this spark before. Oh I've got a generator on my car (6V) Any thoughts would be appreciated. Ron

Tom Wesenberg · 02-09-2014, 09:24 AM

You have a problem. Diodes usually fail OPEN, but can also fail SHORTED.

use an ohm meter or continuity tester to check the diode. Connect the leads to the two terminals, then reverse the connections. Current should flow one way, but not the other. Also connect one lead to the mounting tab and the other lead to each terminal to check for shorts to ground.

ken ct · 02-09-2014, 09:43 AM

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Ive never had any luck with diode cutouts,went back to used original point type no more trouble.!! ken ct.

02-09-2014, 09:19 AM	#1
Ron Lowe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 184	Big spark at Cut-out I always use a Battery Tender for storage. I found my 6V battery to be dead. Had it tested at the parts store and it showed bad. (4 years old) Put in new battery and drove it. I noticed the ammeter was showing 0 charge. I turned on the lights and it went to the usual discharge.Last time I drove it was charging fine(8amps). I disconnected the output wires on the Cut-Out (diode type) to check if it might be closed contacts and that was what drained my old battery. It tested to be open. Now when I try to re-connect the wires to the cut-out I get a huge spark. Is this normal or do I have a problem? I don't remember having this spark before. Oh I've got a generator on my car (6V) Any thoughts would be appreciated. Ron

02-09-2014, 09:24 AM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Big spark at Cut-out You have a problem. Diodes usually fail OPEN, but can also fail SHORTED. use an ohm meter or continuity tester to check the diode. Connect the leads to the two terminals, then reverse the connections. Current should flow one way, but not the other. Also connect one lead to the mounting tab and the other lead to each terminal to check for shorts to ground.

02-09-2014, 09:43 AM	#3
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: Big spark at Cut-out Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Ive never had any luck with diode cutouts,went back to used original point type no more trouble.!! ken ct.