The Ford Barn

JtownJoe · 05-20-2010, 10:20 PM

Hi Thanks to the help on finding my electrical short. It turned out to be the alternator I have been running, it charged perfectly when running, so I didn't suspect it at all but when engine was off it maintained a connection & back drained the battery. I found it using a continuity test after all else failed. I switched it out for my old generator & no more short circuit but now it doesn't charge at all, worked perfectly when I took it off 2 years ago, sometimes you just can't win! I suspect it might be the cut out since I opened it up & all looks good & I cleaned the armature & brushes with WD40 but still no amps. Thanx again guys, for all the suggestions.

Kurt in NJ · 05-20-2010, 10:30 PM

All you would have to do is add a cutout, when it was charging it would connect the alternator, then when it stops charging it will dissconnect.

Actually your alternator probably has a bad diode.

Your old generator might just need to be polarized ---jump the batt term to the gen term for a few seconds and see if it charges then.

Mike V. Florida · 05-20-2010, 10:35 PM

I agree, your old generator might just need to be polarized.

JtownJoe · 05-20-2010, 10:51 PM

Great idea on adding a cut out if all else fails. I will try to polarize the generator either way. Are there people who would check my alternator & replace a bad diode? I just assumed they just had to be replaced. Would any 6 volt cut out do the trick on the alternator? (Bratton's sells them for generators) are they the same? Thanx again!! Joe

JtownJoe · 05-21-2010, 08:05 AM

Hi Mike, I am not sure how you polarize the generator. It is already hooked up directly to the battery via the yellow wire from the starter trminal, through the ampmeter, do you mean it would help to use a jumper cable size wire to the cut out terminal fo a few minutes, and do I do this while the engine is running or when every thing is shut off? Thanx, Joe

1931 flamingo · 05-21-2010, 08:22 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

SECONDS if that long, all it needs is a short (timewise) jump of the connectors
Paul in CT

JtownJoe · 05-21-2010, 08:43 AM

Thanx, Joe

Tom Wesenberg · 05-21-2010, 09:30 AM

To polarize just jump the 2 cutout terminals with a plier or short piece of wire for 1 second. If still no output when the engine is running then jump these same two terminals to bypass the cutout and see if you now have output. If so, then the cutout needs to be worked over.

05-20-2010, 10:20 PM	#1
JtownJoe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 342	Wiring problem found Hi Thanks to the help on finding my electrical short. It turned out to be the alternator I have been running, it charged perfectly when running, so I didn't suspect it at all but when engine was off it maintained a connection & back drained the battery. I found it using a continuity test after all else failed. I switched it out for my old generator & no more short circuit but now it doesn't charge at all, worked perfectly when I took it off 2 years ago, sometimes you just can't win! I suspect it might be the cut out since I opened it up & all looks good & I cleaned the armature & brushes with WD40 but still no amps. Thanx again guys, for all the suggestions.

05-20-2010, 10:30 PM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Wiring problem found All you would have to do is add a cutout, when it was charging it would connect the alternator, then when it stops charging it will dissconnect. Actually your alternator probably has a bad diode. Your old generator might just need to be polarized ---jump the batt term to the gen term for a few seconds and see if it charges then.

05-20-2010, 10:35 PM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Wiring problem found I agree, your old generator might just need to be polarized. __________________ 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

05-20-2010, 10:51 PM	#4
JtownJoe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 342	Re: Wiring problem found Great idea on adding a cut out if all else fails. I will try to polarize the generator either way. Are there people who would check my alternator & replace a bad diode? I just assumed they just had to be replaced. Would any 6 volt cut out do the trick on the alternator? (Bratton's sells them for generators) are they the same? Thanx again!! Joe

05-21-2010, 08:05 AM	#5
JtownJoe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 342	Re: Wiring problem found Hi Mike, I am not sure how you polarize the generator. It is already hooked up directly to the battery via the yellow wire from the starter trminal, through the ampmeter, do you mean it would help to use a jumper cable size wire to the cut out terminal fo a few minutes, and do I do this while the engine is running or when every thing is shut off? Thanx, Joe

05-21-2010, 08:22 AM	#6
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Wiring problem found Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) SECONDS if that long, all it needs is a short (timewise) jump of the connectors Paul in CT

05-21-2010, 08:43 AM	#7
JtownJoe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 342	Re: Wiring problem found Thanx, Joe

05-21-2010, 09:30 AM	#8
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Wiring problem found To polarize just jump the 2 cutout terminals with a plier or short piece of wire for 1 second. If still no output when the engine is running then jump these same two terminals to bypass the cutout and see if you now have output. If so, then the cutout needs to be worked over.