how to ? check generator
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: WEWAHITCHKA FL.
how to ? check generator
This is still a 6 volt system on the v8 flathead and i was just wondering how to check to see if it is working like it should. Short of grabbing the wires. lol
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
I just went through the generator stuff a few months ago. You have 2 options. One with an ammeter and the other without.
1. With an ammeter: Disconnect the Arm and the Field terminals from the regulator. Jump those 2 wires while running the ammeter from the armature to the negative side of the battery. Basically you are sending the generator a full charge signal. You should be getting +30 amps at around 1500 rpm.
2. Without an ammeter: Disconnect the armature and the field terminals from the regulator and jump the 2 wires. Also disconnect the battery wire running through the charge indicator on the dash and connect it directly to the armature side. If your wiring is okay this will show charge on the charge indicator. A couple of drawbacks on this approach is that your charge indicator and the wiring needs to be in good shape. If they are bad, then it won't really tell whether the generator is bad or not.
6V generator is pretty simple. If you open it up, there are only couple of spots where it can fail. The wire between the 2 coils and the mounting bolt wires. Also another thing is to check the brush spring and the brush. I have heard of field coil wire or armature winding failing, but I think that is really rare.
1. With an ammeter: Disconnect the Arm and the Field terminals from the regulator. Jump those 2 wires while running the ammeter from the armature to the negative side of the battery. Basically you are sending the generator a full charge signal. You should be getting +30 amps at around 1500 rpm.
2. Without an ammeter: Disconnect the armature and the field terminals from the regulator and jump the 2 wires. Also disconnect the battery wire running through the charge indicator on the dash and connect it directly to the armature side. If your wiring is okay this will show charge on the charge indicator. A couple of drawbacks on this approach is that your charge indicator and the wiring needs to be in good shape. If they are bad, then it won't really tell whether the generator is bad or not.
6V generator is pretty simple. If you open it up, there are only couple of spots where it can fail. The wire between the 2 coils and the mounting bolt wires. Also another thing is to check the brush spring and the brush. I have heard of field coil wire or armature winding failing, but I think that is really rare.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
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From: Oregon
If you check it with a DVOM, it will work, but if the battery is fully charged, it could be a false reading. The battery, normally, will show about 6-6.5 volts, again, that's normally. If the battery terminal on the regulator reads 7+, then it is same to assume it is charging, but this will not tell you how well, only that it is charging. You can, at that point, turn on the headlights, and if it stays above 7 volts, it is safe to say it at least functioning corredctly, for the most part. An ammeter, however, will be a far more accurate way to check what it is putting out, and how well. Then again, start it, disconnect the battery, and see if it dies. If not, it's working, if so, it's not. Better still, start it, turn on the headlights, and the heater (if possible), turn up the idle, and disconnect the battery, it should stay running, if it's working properly. The generator should be able to keep up with the demand of the ignition, headlights, and heater, when working properly, as the battery is a storage device, not a power source when running.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
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#1 problem with these is armature bushing wear from over tightening of belt. #2 is brushes wearing down. you should use ammeter to get best read and results. most any reputable electric shop can diagnose these units, in truck, in a matter of minutes. it seems to me that you have been having problems with this for a while now, why not take it to a good shop for cheap diagnostics?
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