The Ford Barn

braol · 08-06-2018, 04:31 PM

OK...yesterday we went for a drive and afterwards at home I noticed the ammeter in the negative with everything turned off so I disconnected the battery. Today I loosened the generator belt, reattached the battery, and the generator slowly turned. (Again, everything was off.) I am assuming the cut-out is bad. Does filing the cut-out points work or is a new one the only real solution???

eagle · 08-06-2018, 07:38 PM

Repair the old one or get a fun projects voltage regulator to replace it. New repro cutouts are trouble I hear.

J Franklin · 08-06-2018, 08:41 PM

Clean the points up and give it a try. The return spring may also be weak. Volt reg. is a good upgrade, as well as the diode kit, but if your cutout is original Ford give it to someone that might want to rebuild it, don't toss it in the trash.

Mike V. Florida · 08-06-2018, 10:23 PM

If the old is a reproduction then replace it with a solid state cutout (diode) if original open it up and inspect the ground wire as it often works its self loose.

braol · 08-07-2018, 11:40 AM

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I "fixed" it. Sanded the contacts and aligned them. Works now. I also know what to look for (ammeter discharge when car off) to avoid any damage.

Great forum Thanks for all the help!!!!

08-06-2018, 04:31 PM	#1
braol Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Endeavor, WI Posts: 119	Ammeter "-", generator motors...hep OK...yesterday we went for a drive and afterwards at home I noticed the ammeter in the negative with everything turned off so I disconnected the battery. Today I loosened the generator belt, reattached the battery, and the generator slowly turned. (Again, everything was off.) I am assuming the cut-out is bad. Does filing the cut-out points work or is a new one the only real solution??? __________________ "I have not yet begun to defile myself." -Doc Holliday '31 Tudor, '69 F100, '66 Mustang, '11 Ford Flex Last edited by braol; 08-06-2018 at 04:41 PM.

08-06-2018, 07:38 PM	#2
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Ammeter "-", generator motors...hep Repair the old one or get a fun projects voltage regulator to replace it. New repro cutouts are trouble I hear. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

08-06-2018, 08:41 PM	#3
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Ammeter "-", generator motors...hep Clean the points up and give it a try. The return spring may also be weak. Volt reg. is a good upgrade, as well as the diode kit, but if your cutout is original Ford give it to someone that might want to rebuild it, don't toss it in the trash.

08-06-2018, 10:23 PM	#4
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Ammeter "-", generator motors...hep If the old is a reproduction then replace it with a solid state cutout (diode) if original open it up and inspect the ground wire as it often works its self loose. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

08-07-2018, 11:40 AM	#5
braol Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Endeavor, WI Posts: 119	Re: Ammeter "-", generator motors...hep Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I "fixed" it. Sanded the contacts and aligned them. Works now. I also know what to look for (ammeter discharge when car off) to avoid any damage. Great forum Thanks for all the help!!!! __________________ "I have not yet begun to defile myself." -Doc Holliday '31 Tudor, '69 F100, '66 Mustang, '11 Ford Flex