Charging Problem
 

I have a 1950 Ford V8 Flathead 6 Volt system. Charges fine when it is cold after 20 miles of driving it discharges. New regulator and new generator what could be wrong. Would appreciate any help. Thanks

Re: Charging Problem
 

Do you think the ammeter might be a bit off the zero setting?

Re: Charging Problem
 

Have you positive or negative ground system?
Have you the correct regulator for this system? They are not changeable.
Have you polarized your regulator?

Regards Thomas

Re: Charging Problem
 

do you have any problems with the way it runs does the battery go dead or does it shut off

Re: Charging Problem
 

OK I positive ground I polarize runs great after 20 miles it does not charge battery does not go dead

Re: Charging Problem
 

If it doesn't show signs of a discharged battery (hard to start, etc.), I like Mart's suggestion.

Re: Charging Problem
 

A mechanical regulator don´t care about polarity...it´s the modern solidstate ones that has issues with reversed polarity!

If it´s a brand new regulator...some of them are made with thermoplastic insulators inside...when they heat up they just go out of adjustment totally.

Re: Charging Problem
 

I have killed 2 original Ford regulators, because I used negative ground in my system. And original Ford regulators only work with positive ground. After I have changed to positiv ground my third Ford regulator works fine.

Regards Thomas

Re: Charging Problem
 

OK I do not understand ammeter off zero setting regulator is from napa Thanks I think I am going to take gen off an clean it

Re: Charging Problem
 

That´s cause you had the old style with adjustable screws under the cover....
That type has dissimilar metals on the contacts and points will get pitted fast using the wrong polarity.

Anything a bit more modern won´t care a bit...and the coils in the regulator don´t care.

Just file the points in the regulators that died and adjust them...then they will be back alive.

Re: Charging Problem
 

The needle is bent or calibration is off so perhaps the needle is pointing to -5 amps when you are really charging +5 amps. After first start, the generator may be charging enough so that it reads on the plus side (although lower than the actual amperage). After the battery gets recharged from driving, the needle drops, and if "Mart" is right, it shows a discharge when it is actually charging a small amount. If you have a multi-meter. you should be able to check it. Just to see if you have a problem or not, it might be easier and safer to check the voltage. See what voltage the generator puts out at at 2000 rpm (it should be around 7-7.2 volts). When it drops, run the engine at 2000 rpm again and recheck the voltage; if it's the same as before, you probably don't have a problem if it is significantly less, you should start the standard trouble shooting tests.

Unless you really know what you're doing, I would fool around with testing amperage because the is a lot of current going through that circuit. If you have another ammeter around, you might consider installing it on a temporary basis to double check what is actually happening.

Re: Charging Problem
 

If the battery is not going flat I would use a voltmeter (multimeter) to monitor voltage. As long as battery voltage comes up as the engine is running, you don't have a problem.

Mart.

Re: Charging Problem
 

This is very interesting for me.
Have you any description how to adjust them? I have had already filed the burned points. After polarization it works only ten minutes and than the voltage break down.

Regards Thomas

Re: Charging Problem
 

I have most the manuals here...think i have one of the small ones for starting/charging system down the shop...you pay postage and promise to return it in reasonable time you can borrow it !
Otherwise i can try i bribe my daughter to scan it for you.

Re: Charging Problem
 

If you can bribe your daughter that would be great. [emoji4]
If she don't want we can choose the second way?

Regards Thomas

Re: Charging Problem
 

Lucky, the more you drive, the lower the charge rate should read because the battery is fully charged. If your ammeter is not accurate around the zero area, it might be showing a small discharge situation when in reality a small charge is being provided. Where does the ammeter sit when everything is switched off?

What is the battery voltage before startup, during the charge phase and after 20 mins when you are getting the discharge reading? What happens to the voltage when you have been driving for 40 minutes?

Mart.

Re: Charging Problem
 

The ammeter is on zero when everything is switched off.
Battery is at 6.5 voltage before startup
after 20 minutes it is at 6.4
I do have overdrive in this 50 Ford - I can run it for 20 miles then it discharges
Could it be the solenoid in the transmission? When I leave it sit then it charges again.

Re: Charging Problem
 

Battery should be reading 7+ volts when the engine is running, does sound like a charging issue.

Re: Charging Problem
 

==============================================
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Hey Rog, drive your '50 over to my place tomorrow afternoon, if you
have time, and maybe between the two of us knuckle-heads we can
try to figure out if there is a problem, or not. ;)




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Re: Charging Problem
 

New regulator and generator may not be "matched". Look for an "old time" auto electric shop in your area and take both pieces (or the car) and have them (the regulator) adjusted. How did the points get burned in the reg??

Paul in CT