charging

[1931 flamingo]

40 coupe with a 48 block,electronic ign.
Have had problems with charging for past 4 years, finally had all new harnesses installed. Voltmeter would go about 3/4 in the red but ran fine, then 1/2 and recently about 1/4. I had gen rebuilt and reg checked (3rd genelectic shop. Owner says it's putting out 7+ volts and about 30 amps. Same problem.
I'm at my wits end. The only thing I can think of is the new harness is bad.
I'm taking a break as it's too hot and leaving for Mexico Sat.


Does any one have any thoughts on what's wrong??

Only good thing today is gas is 3.99/gal.
Paul in CT

[koates]

What generator and voltage regulator do you have ? Is it original 1940 ford. Forget your battery meter on the dash, it may not be correct. Test the generator voltage with a few revs up above idle speed. You should have at least 7.5 volts after a few minutes running. Connect your voltmeter between ground and battery terminal on voltage regulator. Remember generators do not charge at engine idle speed , you need some revs up for this test. Report your findings. NO GOOD JUST GUESSING YOU HAVE TO TEST. Regards, Kevin.

[1931 flamingo]

OK, back from Mexico and had help today taking the reading. At Batt terminal to Ground I
got about .2. Engine starts, battery seems to maintain 6 volts.


Gen guy swears it's putting out 7.0 volts and 30 amps. All gauges but the voltmeter work.


Please re-read #1.


Paul in CT Right now I have a very expensive piece of yard art.

[Flathead]

Put a voltmeter across the battery, note the reading when the car is off/not running, then start engine and run at a fast idle and note that reading. This should tell you if it is charging. Not running you have battery voltage 6.3 give or take, and when running at fast idle you should have more than that, 7 or 7.5 give or take. If you get readings like this I would suspect the dash mounted voltmeter's accuracy.

[Ggmac]

I suggest a new old stock volt meter . I recently replaced a faulty oil pressure gauge , the needle would stick on the inner panel . Upon removal I noticed the gauge face was tilted and obviously giving false readings. A $30 NOS gauge fixed it .

[koates]

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flamingo, you got a reading of .2. .2 what ?? I think your test meter is faulty or set on the wrong scale. What meter are you using ? Should have it on DC VOLTS.. As stated on previous posts approx 7.5 volts at the regulator battery terminal or across the battery terminals with some REVS UP and for a few minutes to allow the reading to come up and settle. Regards, Kevin.

[1931 flamingo]

Wife says it was .2VDC.


The question remains: Where is the voltage going??
Paul

[Alaska Jim]

If your meter is reading .2 volts without the eng. running, you would not have enough voltage to even start the vehicle. either your meter is bad , or you are reading it wrong, at least that is what it seems to me

[1931 flamingo]

Meter not wrong and not reading it wrong as the battery shows 6+ volts.


What's curious thou is that the other gauges work.............


Pul in CT

[Terry,OH]

1931 flamingo: What battery terminal (+ or -) are you connecting to when your meter read .2? Is your battery connected + to ground?
Your 1940 originally came from the factory with the battery + connected to ground. The posters above want you to connect your voltmeter + to battery + and voltmeter - to battery -. Which should read 6.+V with the engine not running. Keep the meter connected and run the vehicle with increase engine RPM for about a minute over idle and read the voltmeter should read about 7.2 Volt. Use a analog (with a pointer) voltmeter not digital.

[1931 flamingo]

Engine running, ,2 VDC was taken at the Batt terminal on the regulator.


Baffling thing is that all the other gauges work...................


Paul in CT