The Ford Barn

LizardsA · 02-16-2015, 02:45 AM

How does one stop the cutout switch from "welding" its points closed? I file the build-up off, and the car runs fine for a trip or two, then the cutout closes itself at the end of the trip.
Regards
Mike
Johannesburg, South Africa

Mike V. Florida · 02-16-2015, 02:50 AM

Replace it with a diode.
Is your an original ore reproduction?
What kind of current draw does your car have.
At what voltage do the points close?

Tom Wesenberg · 02-16-2015, 06:23 AM

I've never had a problem when using an original cutout. Many of the repro cutouts are junk and the contacts burn and stick. I would only use an original cutout, or a quality diode cutout, such as the one made by A&L.

LizardsA · 02-16-2015, 06:43 AM

Yes you chaps are correct, this is a repro cutout. I have had problems with a diode cutout as well. As for the questions on current draw, or at what voltage the points close, I don't really know how to measure these - please can you give me advice on this?

Tom Wesenberg · 02-16-2015, 08:29 AM

Are you using the stock 6 volt positive ground?

I would adjust the third brush so the ammeter only reads a couple amps. This will keep the battery charged for normal daytime driving, and it will lighten the load on the cutout. If you do a lot of night driving, then you will have to raise the amp setting to run the lights.

Moving the adjustable brush up lowers the amps.

eagle · 02-16-2015, 10:00 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I bought a voltage regulator from Macs a few years ago and it works great. No more having to adjust the generator for night driving. Replaces the cutout and looks perfectly stock.

raprice22 · 02-16-2015, 10:31 AM

I also installed a Fun Projects voltage regulator, on my '30 Ford, a number of years ago and it had been working great. It looks just like the cutout and even has the Ford script on it.
Rog

tbirdtbird · 02-16-2015, 10:40 AM

Steve at Bert's in Colorado has re-conditioned originals which many users here including myself rave about.
The spring on the repops is crappy and loses it temper and then becomes very weak.

I have tried a number of diode cutouts and for whatever reason, they don't seem to like Texas much, I can never get them to work

Tom W from this forum makes a quality EVR which means never adjust the 3rd brush again

LizardsA · 02-17-2015, 03:02 AM

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll try and adjust the third brush a little and see if I get better results.
Kind regards
Mike

02-16-2015, 02:45 AM	#1
LizardsA Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 225	Cutout switch: how to stop it from "welding" itself closed? How does one stop the cutout switch from "welding" its points closed? I file the build-up off, and the car runs fine for a trip or two, then the cutout closes itself at the end of the trip. Regards Mike Johannesburg, South Africa

02-16-2015, 02:50 AM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Cutout switch: how to stop it from "welding" itself closed? Replace it with a diode. Is your an original ore reproduction? What kind of current draw does your car have. At what voltage do the points close? __________________ 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

02-16-2015, 06:23 AM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Cutout switch: how to stop it from "welding" itself closed? I've never had a problem when using an original cutout. Many of the repro cutouts are junk and the contacts burn and stick. I would only use an original cutout, or a quality diode cutout, such as the one made by A&L.

02-16-2015, 06:43 AM	#4
LizardsA Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 225	Re: Cutout switch: how to stop it from "welding" itself closed? Yes you chaps are correct, this is a repro cutout. I have had problems with a diode cutout as well. As for the questions on current draw, or at what voltage the points close, I don't really know how to measure these - please can you give me advice on this?

02-16-2015, 08:29 AM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Cutout switch: how to stop it from "welding" itself closed? Are you using the stock 6 volt positive ground? I would adjust the third brush so the ammeter only reads a couple amps. This will keep the battery charged for normal daytime driving, and it will lighten the load on the cutout. If you do a lot of night driving, then you will have to raise the amp setting to run the lights. Moving the adjustable brush up lowers the amps.

02-16-2015, 10:00 AM	#6
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,030	Re: Cutout switch: how to stop it from "welding" itself closed? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I bought a voltage regulator from Macs a few years ago and it works great. No more having to adjust the generator for night driving. Replaces the cutout and looks perfectly stock.

02-16-2015, 10:31 AM	#7
raprice22 Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 80	Re: Cutout switch: how to stop it from "welding" itself closed? I also installed a Fun Projects voltage regulator, on my '30 Ford, a number of years ago and it had been working great. It looks just like the cutout and even has the Ford script on it. Rog

02-16-2015, 10:40 AM	#8
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Cutout switch: how to stop it from "welding" itself closed? Steve at Bert's in Colorado has re-conditioned originals which many users here including myself rave about. The spring on the repops is crappy and loses it temper and then becomes very weak. I have tried a number of diode cutouts and for whatever reason, they don't seem to like Texas much, I can never get them to work Tom W from this forum makes a quality EVR which means never adjust the 3rd brush again __________________ '31 180A

02-17-2015, 03:02 AM	#9
LizardsA Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 225	Re: Cutout switch: how to stop it from "welding" itself closed? Thanks everyone for your help. I'll try and adjust the third brush a little and see if I get better results. Kind regards Mike