The Ford Barn

Model A Man · 05-25-2010, 01:27 PM

about 5 months ago I helped this lady get her 1931 deluxe roadster running that had been sitting for over 2 years. All has been good until last Thru. when she went to leave the club meeting, it would not start (acted like the battery was dead). She was towed home and another club member put a battery charger on it for her. She emailed me yesterday to say it wouldn't do anything when she tried to start it. This morning I went over there and put my volt meter on the battery and it showed it was good. so I looked around the engine compartment and everything looked good I sat in the roadster and went to start it and it started. She was shocked as she said for her it wouldn't even turn over. I did notice that the charge rate at idle shows a discharge but at driving speed it shows 10/12 amps. Is this normal? I am guessing she doesn't drive it enough to keep the battery charged (it is an optama 6V). This a sweet lady that her late husband restored the car and he did a very nice job as that is what he did for a living.

Charlie Stephens · 05-25-2010, 02:22 PM

It is a long shot but check and be sure the battery cables are tight. While you are at it check all of the grounds if it cranks slow or the lights are dim.

Charlie Stephens

Tom Wesenberg · 05-25-2010, 02:35 PM

"I did notice that the charge rate at idle shows a discharge but at driving speed it shows 10/12 amps. Is this normal? "

It's normal if she has the third brush set for 10/12 amps. I always recommend using an electronic voltage regulator, so you don't have to worry about the adjustable brush.

If she rarely drives the car, or only drives it on short trips, she may benifit from using a battery tender that she can easily plug in when parked and quickly unplug when going for a drive.

Patrick L. · 05-25-2010, 02:37 PM

Like Charlie stated, I would clean the terminals and make sure they were nice and tight when reinstalling them, including the grounds and the starter terminal.. It will show a discharge at idle[especially if the brake lights are on] and will show a charge rate at wherever the third brush is set.. Tom W. sells an EVR that helps this if she wants to spend the money for it..

ford1 · 05-25-2010, 03:02 PM

10 to 12 amps is right, the meter should read about 2 amps with the lights on driving, it should show a couple of amps charge at idle, if not speed the idle up a little, at least till it dosent show a discharge

Mike V. Florida · 05-27-2010, 06:35 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Keep mine at 8-10 amps

Aerocraft · 05-27-2010, 08:25 AM

I have been very happy with Tom Wesenberg's electronic voltage regulators. They work as advertised and I no longer have to adjust the third brush to my driving needs. Ask him for literature about what he makes. The prices are very fair.

05-25-2010, 01:27 PM	#1
Model A Man Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sarasota Florida Posts: 604	Gen charge rate about 5 months ago I helped this lady get her 1931 deluxe roadster running that had been sitting for over 2 years. All has been good until last Thru. when she went to leave the club meeting, it would not start (acted like the battery was dead). She was towed home and another club member put a battery charger on it for her. She emailed me yesterday to say it wouldn't do anything when she tried to start it. This morning I went over there and put my volt meter on the battery and it showed it was good. so I looked around the engine compartment and everything looked good I sat in the roadster and went to start it and it started. She was shocked as she said for her it wouldn't even turn over. I did notice that the charge rate at idle shows a discharge but at driving speed it shows 10/12 amps. Is this normal? I am guessing she doesn't drive it enough to keep the battery charged (it is an optama 6V). This a sweet lady that her late husband restored the car and he did a very nice job as that is what he did for a living.

05-25-2010, 02:22 PM	#2
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,033	Re: Gen charge rate It is a long shot but check and be sure the battery cables are tight. While you are at it check all of the grounds if it cranks slow or the lights are dim. Charlie Stephens

05-25-2010, 02:35 PM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Gen charge rate "I did notice that the charge rate at idle shows a discharge but at driving speed it shows 10/12 amps. Is this normal? " It's normal if she has the third brush set for 10/12 amps. I always recommend using an electronic voltage regulator, so you don't have to worry about the adjustable brush. If she rarely drives the car, or only drives it on short trips, she may benifit from using a battery tender that she can easily plug in when parked and quickly unplug when going for a drive.

05-25-2010, 02:37 PM	#4
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Gen charge rate Like Charlie stated, I would clean the terminals and make sure they were nice and tight when reinstalling them, including the grounds and the starter terminal.. It will show a discharge at idle[especially if the brake lights are on] and will show a charge rate at wherever the third brush is set.. Tom W. sells an EVR that helps this if she wants to spend the money for it..

05-25-2010, 03:02 PM	#5
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: Gen charge rate 10 to 12 amps is right, the meter should read about 2 amps with the lights on driving, it should show a couple of amps charge at idle, if not speed the idle up a little, at least till it dosent show a discharge

05-27-2010, 06:35 AM	#6
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Gen charge rate Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Keep mine at 8-10 amps __________________ 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

05-27-2010, 08:25 AM	#7
Aerocraft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 1,387	Re: Gen charge rate I have been very happy with Tom Wesenberg's electronic voltage regulators. They work as advertised and I no longer have to adjust the third brush to my driving needs. Ask him for literature about what he makes. The prices are very fair.