Hello
I have a Merc Flathead V8 in my F1 and I am not sure my generator is working or wired correctly. I bought a new Generator and voltage regulator. I aslo installed a 6V wiring harness from Rebel.

I would like to know if anyone can tell me of a simple way to check to see if my generator is charging the battery. I have a good amp/volt meter and plenty of time but not much experience with generators.

I would appreciate any help on this.

 

1.Go out to truck
2.Raise hood
3.Place meter on DC voltage scale
4.Place one lead of meter on neg post of battery
5.Place other lead of meter on positive post of battery
6.Read meter.......should read about 6.1Volts--6.3 Volts
7.Start truck.
8.Pull hand throttle so engine speed increases some.
9.Repeat steps 4&5.....Meter should now show 6.4V or higher.
If working, the voltage will be higher with the truck running.
Question: Did you flash the fields on the generator?
And you did install the battery positive ground, did you not?

 

You can also, with the truck running at a fast idle, pull one of the battery cables off, if the truck keeps running the generator is working.

 

I worked all day on my wiring and had high hopes. I installed new ground bus and hooked up a lead from the battery, motor, firewall, and voltage regulator. I then checked all the wiring for the generator, voltage regulator,and ammeter. All wiring seems to be correct. I started the engine and when I put on the headlights the ammeter would go to a negative 15 amps. This is telling me that I now have the ammeter working correctly. Unfortunately the generator is stiil not working. I took the ground off the battery when it was running and the motor died. The generator, voltage regulator, battery, and wiring are all brand new. Does anyone have any more suggestions on how to check just the generator? Thanks

 

Did you polarize the Regulator?

 

Yes
I did and got the little blue spark when I touched the field wire to the bat terminal on the regulator.

 

What kind of regulator did you get? Is it a relay type (like original)?

Pop the lid off it, and rev the engine. You should see the cut-out relay close at about 1000 RPM, maybe less, and open when you let it idle. If it isn't ever closing, have someone watch the ammeter while you rev the engine and close the contacts with your finger. If it jumps to positive, it's the regulator. The cut-out should be the relay furthest to the right inside the case.