The Ford Barn

draggin49 · 12-02-2018, 09:10 PM

Hooked the car up to the battery tender last night till it was shown to be 100% charged.
After I took it off the tender today I reconnected the cables . Took it for a drive , about 40 min one way . Was parked at a place for 30 min then I left and drove it 40 min home.
I disconnected the battery cables and put it back on the tender to see where it was charge wise . It is showing 50% . I didnt run the lights at all while driving .

JSeery · 12-02-2018, 09:15 PM

Are you sure the generator is providing a charge while you are driving?

petehoovie · 12-02-2018, 11:56 PM

What does the ammeter show while you're driving?....

draggin49 · 12-03-2018, 01:56 AM

This was when I was driving

deuce lover · 12-03-2018, 02:45 AM

Not charging,not good.Check into Ed Whitney & Co in SoCal to convert your gen.

john in illinois · 12-03-2018, 09:22 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have a Whitney alternator and it works well. I use halogen lights and no problem.
http://www.ejwhitneyco.com/automotive.html

John

draggin49 · 12-04-2018, 08:06 AM

Thanks guys , I’m gonna get a Whitney

draggin49 · 12-06-2018, 01:39 AM

Can someone explain to me where the amperage gauge “should “ be reading .
At idle, while driving etc on a ford like mine that has a properly functioning generator

petehoovie · 12-06-2018, 02:34 AM

When the electrical system is in good working order, the ammeter should be reading on the CHARGE side of zero. The higher the RPM goes, the more charge you should see on the ammeter. Several things will play a role in the amount of charge as seen on the ammeter---e.g. condition of the battery, lights being used, generator output etc....

deuce lover · 12-06-2018, 02:36 AM

Maybe you should get a multimeter (Harbor Freight ?) and take some readings off your charging circuit (Gen).If your battery is good and fully charged the amp meter will not move much.Having Whitney redo your gen (which is what he does) might simplify things for you.Call them and speak to Tom.There is a wait time and its pricey but to me well worth it and yes I have had a few done by him.

koates · 12-06-2018, 07:02 AM

Your original Ford generator will not charge at engine idle speed. Have to be somewhat above idle speed before any charge will show on the ammeter. Is your generator the original Ford third brush unit with the round cutout on top ? If it is then generator will charge at whatever amps the third brush is adjusted at. There is NO voltage regulator on this system, only the third brush adjustment inside the generator. Need to know exactly what is fitted on your car. Regards, Kevin.

V12Bill · 12-06-2018, 03:36 PM

Does your mechanic know that this is a positive ground?

petehoovie · 12-06-2018, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V12Bill

Does your mechanic know that this is a positive ground?

Good one, Bill....

12-02-2018, 09:10 PM	#21
draggin49 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Southern California Posts: 212	Re: Battery being drained ... Hooked the car up to the battery tender last night till it was shown to be 100% charged. After I took it off the tender today I reconnected the cables . Took it for a drive , about 40 min one way . Was parked at a place for 30 min then I left and drove it 40 min home. I disconnected the battery cables and put it back on the tender to see where it was charge wise . It is showing 50% . I didnt run the lights at all while driving .

12-02-2018, 09:15 PM	#22
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Battery being drained ... Are you sure the generator is providing a charge while you are driving?

12-02-2018, 11:56 PM	#23
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 10,159	Re: Battery being drained ... What does the ammeter show while you're driving?....

12-03-2018, 02:45 AM	#25
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,837	Re: Battery being drained ... Not charging,not good.Check into Ed Whitney & Co in SoCal to convert your gen.

12-03-2018, 09:22 AM	#26
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,220	Re: Battery being drained ... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have a Whitney alternator and it works well. I use halogen lights and no problem. http://www.ejwhitneyco.com/automotive.html John

12-04-2018, 08:06 AM	#27
draggin49 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Southern California Posts: 212	Re: Battery being drained ... Thanks guys , I’m gonna get a Whitney

12-06-2018, 01:39 AM	#28
draggin49 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Southern California Posts: 212	Re: Battery being drained ... Can someone explain to me where the amperage gauge “should “ be reading . At idle, while driving etc on a ford like mine that has a properly functioning generator

12-06-2018, 02:34 AM	#29
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 10,159	Re: Battery being drained ... When the electrical system is in good working order, the ammeter should be reading on the CHARGE side of zero. The higher the RPM goes, the more charge you should see on the ammeter. Several things will play a role in the amount of charge as seen on the ammeter---e.g. condition of the battery, lights being used, generator output etc....

12-06-2018, 02:36 AM	#30
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,837	Re: Battery being drained ... Maybe you should get a multimeter (Harbor Freight ?) and take some readings off your charging circuit (Gen).If your battery is good and fully charged the amp meter will not move much.Having Whitney redo your gen (which is what he does) might simplify things for you.Call them and speak to Tom.There is a wait time and its pricey but to me well worth it and yes I have had a few done by him.

12-06-2018, 07:02 AM	#31
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,185	Re: Battery being drained ... Your original Ford generator will not charge at engine idle speed. Have to be somewhat above idle speed before any charge will show on the ammeter. Is your generator the original Ford third brush unit with the round cutout on top ? If it is then generator will charge at whatever amps the third brush is adjusted at. There is NO voltage regulator on this system, only the third brush adjustment inside the generator. Need to know exactly what is fitted on your car. Regards, Kevin.

12-06-2018, 03:36 PM	#32
V12Bill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mt. Holly,NJ Posts: 1,822	Re: Battery being drained ... Does your mechanic know that this is a positive ground?