The Ford Barn

nkaminar · 06-14-2023, 06:58 PM

To test the generator, remove the cutout to take it out of the system. The remove the fan belt. Then run a hot lead to the generator terminal and it should turn like a motor but slowly.

To see if the generator is generating, run the engine at a fast idle and measure the voltage at the generator terminal, the opposite side of the cutout from where the wires hook up. It should register about 7 volts for a 6 volt car and about 14 volts for a 12 volt car. If it is 6.2 volts or less for a 6 volt car it is not generating. If it is much higher than 7 volts for a 6 volt car then the cutout or the wiring is bad and the generator is not connected to the battery. Do not run the engine for more than a couple minutes with the generator disconnected from the battery or it may burn out.

The voltage at a fast idle should be the same on the wiring side of the cutout. If it is at the battery voltage then the cutout is likely bad.

06-14-2023, 06:58 PM	#12
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,855	Re: Ammeter Shows No Charge To test the generator, remove the cutout to take it out of the system. The remove the fan belt. Then run a hot lead to the generator terminal and it should turn like a motor but slowly. To see if the generator is generating, run the engine at a fast idle and measure the voltage at the generator terminal, the opposite side of the cutout from where the wires hook up. It should register about 7 volts for a 6 volt car and about 14 volts for a 12 volt car. If it is 6.2 volts or less for a 6 volt car it is not generating. If it is much higher than 7 volts for a 6 volt car then the cutout or the wiring is bad and the generator is not connected to the battery. Do not run the engine for more than a couple minutes with the generator disconnected from the battery or it may burn out. The voltage at a fast idle should be the same on the wiring side of the cutout. If it is at the battery voltage then the cutout is likely bad. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.