6 volt poss grd help

[30-9]

I’m still tryin to figure out what’s going on.

Volt meter on battery terminals shows a little over 6 volt.
I pull the positive cable off (meg side of bat) when car is running and it still runs.
With cable off I check with volt meter and volt meter jumps all over - even up over 11’volt.

I had the geni rebuilt some time ago. Is it possible it’s a 12 volt geni? I’ve been driving with it over two years.

What should I try next

[deuce_roadster]

The voltage regulator is supposed to monitor the voltage in the battery, and by removing the battery from the circuit, maybe the vreg is messed up. The generator HAS to put out more then 6 volts to keep the battery charged, more like 7.2 I think.
Why did you remove the positive cable in the first place?

[51 MERC-CT]

Most likely the ignition is running off the output generator.
Will it still run with the ignition switch off?

[30-9]

I was told that if you remove the cable when car is running and car doesn’t stall, the geni is good. If it stalls it’s bad.

No car shut of when key is turned off

How do you test regulator? It’s prob original

[rotorwrench]

Few of us likely have the necessary equipment to properly test and adjust a 3-pole voltage regulator. The voltage regulator pole or current limiter pole may be operating intermittently. This would only show up with test equipment connected to read system voltage & current output. You may have worn out brushes in the generator too. If the commutator is worn or uneven the brushes could be jumping around on there.

[30-9]

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Ok no way test voltage regulator. How about geni output.

I guess, I can go cheaper route first and just buy new regulator.

[JSeery]

Ok, in the first test you performed with the ~6v at the battery, is this with the car running? If it will run with the ground to the battery disconnected then the generator is providing an output, but if it is only a little over 6v at the battery with the ground connected, then it is not being regulated properly. Have you checked to output at the B terminal of the voltage regulator with it running? Bad news is a new VR may or many not work any better! The current one tend to be very poor quality.

[30-9]

Volt meter car off 6 lil over 6 volts at battery terminals.

I took the positive lead off the battery while car was running and it continued to run.

Put test lead of volt meter on with pos lead off and volt meter was all over as high as 11 volts. Same w cable connected to bartery

[1931 flamingo]

What is your original problem??
Do you have a cheap analog meter??
Paul in CT

[JSeery]

30-9, that appears to be the same information as in your original post (with the addition of the first reading was with the car off). What is the reading at the battery with the engine running and everything connected properly? What is the reading at the B terminal running with everything connected?

[emf]

If you are using a digital volt meter, the RF coming from the ignition is probably causing the volt meter readings to jump all over. Not sure what you are trying to accomplish...


Frank

[flatheadmurre]

First you can´t measure the ouput voltage of the generator with a digital voltmeter...it will be all over the place.
Measuring at the removed battery cable means you have no load on the regulator and it will be putting out "spikes".
So from what you state my thinking is your generator is working and the regulator needs adjusting...if you don´t know how to do this...try cleaning the points under the cover but DON´T start trying to bend it for adjusting.

[30-9]

Running at voltage rev car running goes between 3-4 volts

At battery running all over map as high as 11

[flatheadmurre]

What are you using to measure with ?
You need an analog meter...preferably one intended for this that has a damper in the meter.
If you´re meter is to quick it will be all over the place...you are looking for an average.

[30-9]

Originally Posted by flatheadmurre

First you can´t measure the ouput voltage of the generator with a digital voltmeter...it will be all over the place.
Measuring at the removed battery cable means you have no load on the regulator and it will be putting out "spikes".
So from what you state my thinking is your generator is working and the regulator needs adjusting...if you don´t know how to do this...try cleaning the points under the cover but DON´T start trying to bend it for adjusting.

Ok thanks. So I can’t test at battery w a digital volt meter. As previously stated at voltage regulator b terminal I’m getting 3-4 volts.. I would assume that’s too low. I’ll try cleaning the points as suggested.

My goal is to see if the geni and voltage reg are working properly. As I experienced a totally dead battery last week. I’ll be very happy if everything is workin and the battery was at end of life

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by 30-9

Running at voltage rev car running goes between 3-4 volts

At battery running all over map as high as 11

Agree with the need for an analog meter. Be interesting to see how you can have 3-4 volts out of the generator and "as high as" 11 volts at the battery. Post the number you get with a different voltmeter. Output at the VR "B" terminal should be close to 7.5 volts.

[30-9]

You guys were right! I bought analog meter. Running at idle 6.5 rev over 7 volts.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by 30-9

You guys were right! I bought analog meter. Running at idle 6.5 rev over 7 volts.

Sounds about right!