The Ford Barn

marc hildebrant · 07-12-2015, 01:15 PM

Without voltage regulation on the generator, you really have to take an active role in setting the third brush for the different driving conditions.

When I had my 1933 Chevrolet with a third brush, I installed a variable resistor in the dash in series with the third brush output. I then set the third brush at the max setting and adjusted the output from the car as I drove around.

At that time, I didn't care about adding extra holes in the dashboard or keeping the car original.

By the way, the Chevrolet design for the generator had the third brush adjustment coming out of the end of the generator, so that it could be adjusted without removing anything.

Marc

Tom Wesenberg · 07-12-2015, 07:12 PM

For a simple variable output control the way Marc did it with a rheostat is the easiest, but I have seen a couple generators where someone rigged a lawn mower throttle cable to the adjustable brush to set the amperage while driving.

I like the electronic voltage regulator the best because the lights are safe from too much voltage and the battery is always getting the correct charge.

07-12-2015, 01:15 PM	#21
marc hildebrant Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 1,128	Re: Seems strange, battery vs spark at the plug Without voltage regulation on the generator, you really have to take an active role in setting the third brush for the different driving conditions. When I had my 1933 Chevrolet with a third brush, I installed a variable resistor in the dash in series with the third brush output. I then set the third brush at the max setting and adjusted the output from the car as I drove around. At that time, I didn't care about adding extra holes in the dashboard or keeping the car original. By the way, the Chevrolet design for the generator had the third brush adjustment coming out of the end of the generator, so that it could be adjusted without removing anything. Marc

07-12-2015, 07:12 PM	#22
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Seems strange, battery vs spark at the plug For a simple variable output control the way Marc did it with a rheostat is the easiest, but I have seen a couple generators where someone rigged a lawn mower throttle cable to the adjustable brush to set the amperage while driving. I like the electronic voltage regulator the best because the lights are safe from too much voltage and the battery is always getting the correct charge.