The Ford Barn

The Ford Barn (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/index.php)
-   Model A (1928-31) (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3)
-   -   Alternator not exciting (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=240634)

Don S 03-11-2018 11:25 AM

Alternator not exciting
 

Car is now out of storage, started up ok but alternator did not kick in to charge battery, Everthing worked fine when put to sleep for the winter. This is total dry storage, no vermin etc. Checked voltage at the alternator ,12.62v ,no amount of reving solved the problem. Thinking that somehow the alternator was kaput, I purchased another,with the same outcome. The only change in wiring since
last fall was to reverse polarity on the coil. I had it wrong.Any thoughts as to what to check ?

Floats 03-11-2018 11:59 AM

Re: Alternator not exciting
 

Don,
Did you charge it before start up? If so, the battery is probably fully charged.

Beater 03-11-2018 01:26 PM

Re: Alternator not exciting
 

even if the battery is fully up after a start the alt should put out 13.5-14 v

burner31 03-11-2018 03:54 PM

Re: Alternator not exciting
 

Had the same problem, was a broke field wire, a little solder fixed it up.
Hint: do not use electrical tape to mask the repair use a cotton string or thin twine

Don S 03-11-2018 08:27 PM

Re: Alternator not exciting
 

Thanks for your thoughts, I do have a voltmeter in the dash, so I can check at any time if the alternator is working. Next step is to check battery connections, after that I will start it and see if problem is gone. Cheers

Don S 03-12-2018 02:47 PM

Re: Alternator not exciting
 

An update on last post, new(rebuilt) Alternator did not work either, they are bringing in another this afternoon. I took floorboards out this morning,all connections are secure,battery is in good shape.Hope alternator is the problem,I don't know where to check next.

Benson 03-12-2018 04:57 PM

Re: Alternator not exciting
 

...

pbishop 03-13-2018 09:21 AM

Re: Alternator not exciting
 

Had that problem after my Coupe sat for a year. You can 'excite' the alternator if it has been lost. I just looked up 'How to excite alternator' on YouTube. Pulled off little black cap on top of alternator and touched wire from output connection on back of alternator to the outside lead. Problem solved.

Beater 03-13-2018 01:53 PM

Re: Alternator not exciting
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbishop (Post 1604515)
Had that problem after my Coupe sat for a year. You can 'excite' the alternator if it has been lost. I just looked up 'How to excite alternator' on YouTube. Pulled off little black cap on top of alternator and touched wire from output connection on back of alternator to the outside lead. Problem solved.

yes I never thought about this. if you are running a one wire alt they can loose there field strength if sitting to long. a quick touch with a while while running to the field post and boom away they go usually


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:43 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.