The Ford Barn

Jembow · 04-27-2023, 10:34 AM

Having stripped,cleaned everything, replaced field coils, fitted a diode kit in the cutout, it now charges well, TOO well. I can't get it to drop below 20amps at cruising speed. I've read quite a few of Tom Wesenberg's posts, he puts strong emphasis on good contacts, but everything is squeaky clean. The only thing original is the brushes (the sets I have are wrong size for the 3rd brush) but they look really good to me. I have a later generator to use, but it would be nice to have the powerhouse on there.

rotorwrench · 04-27-2023, 11:28 AM

Check out your battery and be sure it is in good condition. The generator should respond to moving the field control brush closer to the ground brush side but it only has so much movement allowed. A battery that is weak or not well connected to the car, will not regulate the generator output. Be sure the generator has a good ground to the engine as well and that the field coil is grounded well to the case on the one end.

Is this a 3-brush unit or a 5 brush unit?

Jembow · 04-27-2023, 11:59 AM

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5 brush, called P2 in the Restorer article last year. Battery is new, all contacts cleaned, new earth strap. I'll check the field coil ground again.

04-27-2023, 10:34 AM	#1
Jembow Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Spalding, United Kingdom Posts: 306	Powerhouse overcharging Having stripped,cleaned everything, replaced field coils, fitted a diode kit in the cutout, it now charges well, TOO well. I can't get it to drop below 20amps at cruising speed. I've read quite a few of Tom Wesenberg's posts, he puts strong emphasis on good contacts, but everything is squeaky clean. The only thing original is the brushes (the sets I have are wrong size for the 3rd brush) but they look really good to me. I have a later generator to use, but it would be nice to have the powerhouse on there.

04-27-2023, 11:28 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Powerhouse overcharging Check out your battery and be sure it is in good condition. The generator should respond to moving the field control brush closer to the ground brush side but it only has so much movement allowed. A battery that is weak or not well connected to the car, will not regulate the generator output. Be sure the generator has a good ground to the engine as well and that the field coil is grounded well to the case on the one end. Is this a 3-brush unit or a 5 brush unit?

04-27-2023, 11:59 AM	#3
Jembow Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Spalding, United Kingdom Posts: 306	Re: Powerhouse overcharging Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 5 brush, called P2 in the Restorer article last year. Battery is new, all contacts cleaned, new earth strap. I'll check the field coil ground again.