The Ford Barn

bluesman31 · 06-24-2014, 03:23 PM

Just got my new 36 Pickup going and it appears to have been restored bone stock with the exception of a 6V pos ground alternator.

I am charging the battery since it seems to be really low. I would like to do a quick check of the charging system to see if she is functioning correctly.

Before I charged the battery I was still be able to barely (turn over slow) start the car, and then the stock ammeter would read a hair below 0 when running lights off, and dips to neg 5 or 10 with lights on. Is this what I should expect? I thought with the alternator it should maintain near zero with the light on? My assumption is that the alternator has a voltage regulator, but not sure? I think it's a one wire setup

06-24-2014, 03:23 PM	#1
bluesman31 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: E. Massachusetts & New Hampsire Posts: 152	Verifying charging system on 6V Alternator system Just got my new 36 Pickup going and it appears to have been restored bone stock with the exception of a 6V pos ground alternator. I am charging the battery since it seems to be really low. I would like to do a quick check of the charging system to see if she is functioning correctly. Before I charged the battery I was still be able to barely (turn over slow) start the car, and then the stock ammeter would read a hair below 0 when running lights off, and dips to neg 5 or 10 with lights on. Is this what I should expect? I thought with the alternator it should maintain near zero with the light on? My assumption is that the alternator has a voltage regulator, but not sure? I think it's a one wire setup __________________ 31 Deluxe Roadster