I have a 56 F100 6 cyl.Stock gen and regulator.The battery light stays on all the time.How do i check to see what is the problem.The battery is new.

 

Thats a small question with a huge answer! If there is a problem, it's either the generator, the regulator, or hook-ups (like circuit breaker shunts, etc).

If you have a shop manual, perform the test for bypassing the regulator and measuring generator output (by connecting a jumper between the ARM and FLD posts on the generator - but read the procedure). If the output at 1500 rpm is 35 amps, replace the regulator.

Here's a link to read. I quote the procedure there if you don't have a shop manual (and if you don't I would suggest very strongly that yo uget one) - post #3:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...regulater.html

PS. If you read farther down you will see a question about "polarizing" the generator. My answer was incorrect (bad day), as the part that is getting polarized is the field windings in the generator itself - so there is no need to polarize if you replace the regulator, but you do need to polarize if you change the generator.

 

I checked the wiring and the field was connected to ground.I attached the field from the gen to the field on the regulator.It is charging now(i can dissconnect the bat and it stays running) but now the batt light flickers at anything above idle.

 

I think you need to repolarize the generator. With the engine off, disconnect the field wire on the regulator and very briefly touch it to the battery terminal on the regulator.

If that doesn't stop it let em know here!

Flickers??????? Life is never easy!

 

Check the generator brushes. See if they are not worn short or hanging up.