battery won't charge
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Freshman User
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battery won't charge
I had someone look at my generator (said it was working good) and I relpaces the voltage regulator. My battery still wont charge, how can I test to find the problem? Also when the truck is idling (600-800 RPM) the GEN light is on, but once the rpms get to `1000 or more it goes out. Thanks in advance.
Elder User
Joined: May 2009
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Well a quick test is turn the truck on, then disconnect the negative battery lead. If the engine dies, your charging system is bad.
If its does die, I very highly recommend just doing the one wire GM alternator conversion. Its cheaper than buying a remanufactured generator and it works a gazzillion time better, and thats almost literally
If its does die, I very highly recommend just doing the one wire GM alternator conversion. Its cheaper than buying a remanufactured generator and it works a gazzillion time better, and thats almost literally
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Make sure you have the battery cables connected to the correct battery terminals / 1956 thru today: 12V negative ground.
Peeps make the mistake of buying GM and ChryCo batteries that have the terminals REVERSED!
If not paying attention, when one of these batteries is installed in FoMoCo vehicles, it's very possible that the: Positive cable could be connected to the negative battery terminal (-).
And the negative battery cable could be connected to the positive battery terminal (+).
Peeps make the mistake of buying GM and ChryCo batteries that have the terminals REVERSED!
If not paying attention, when one of these batteries is installed in FoMoCo vehicles, it's very possible that the: Positive cable could be connected to the negative battery terminal (-).
And the negative battery cable could be connected to the positive battery terminal (+).
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Freshman User
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Battery cables are hooked up correct. I started truck and pulled of negative lead and truck died. So charging system is not working. How do I find out where my problem is? Generator, voltage regulator, Or?? Thanks again.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,091
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From: Tucson, Arizona
Many car parts chain stores like AutoZone and O'Rielly's have free in-store testing of electrical components. All you have to do is remove them from the truck and take them to the store. If the generator and voltage regulator check good then you may have a wiring issue, poor connection, or a ground issue. If you don't have a wiring diagram for your truck it would be a good idea to get one. Would help if your truck is miswired. If you take it apart, make sure you keep track of what went where. I agree that if your generator's toast, it would be a good time to upgrade to an alternator.
Elder User
Joined: May 2009
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Whatever the problem is, I think you should really look into the alternator conversion. Its cheap and works way better than the two generators i went though ever did.
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Anyone have a link for converting to an alt. I am a newbie and need some instructions. lol Thanks
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Elder User
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The step by step tutorial doesn't work, the webpage doesn't exist any more. It is as simple as connecting the one wire to the positive lead on the truck. The negative lead is just simply grounded to the truck though the alternator bracket that you make. I was able to use some angle iron and the old generator bracket to mount it. You also have to jump two wires on the alternator, but i cannot remember which two. If someone else doesn't help I can crawl under my truck and look.
Elder User
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From: Montpelier, VA
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2010
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what alternator to use?
I have decided that since I am not great with electrical things. (dont really know where to begin testing) I will probaly just do the alternator conversion, What alternator do I use?, How much does it cost?, Is it something a newbie can tackle? The local Advance auto said the alternator to use was a reman Bosch (AL513X) $79, but I keep reading people using a delco? Thanks again
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Wichita, KS
I installed a Delco-Remy 10-SI and it works great. I had to extend my alternator bracket by a couple of inches. I just used a piece of plate steel and drilled some holes in it to do this, no problem. Others have used the universal curved alternator bracket and I'd try that first if I had to do it again. Here is a place I found that sells alternator brackets that might be handy. ALTERNATOR ADAPTER BRACKETS, alternator brackets, generator to alternator brackets
I never got the idiot light working... I have one more thing to try on that and if no luck I will hook up one of these low voltage sensors, designed just for this application: LS-11 Lo Voltage Sensor-Ron Francis Wiring
I never got the idiot light working... I have one more thing to try on that and if no luck I will hook up one of these low voltage sensors, designed just for this application: LS-11 Lo Voltage Sensor-Ron Francis Wiring
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Freshman User
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UPDATE!
UPDATE: I installed my Delco-Remy 63 amp 1 wire alternator today. It was easier than I thought it would be, I used the yellow factory(12guage??) wire that went to the BATT terminal on the regulator and just put a fuseable link (14guage) and connected it to the alternator. Turn the truck on and pull the ground on the battery and the truck keeps running. It is charging now right???? If anyone is considering this conversion I used my origional brackets from my generator. I just cut a little out of the bottom of the top bracket so the alt would turn just a bit (picture) I turned the bottom bracket backwards and used the spacer to mount it. I did have to purchase a smaller belt, my next tast will be trying to figure something out for a dummy GEN light. So if something does happen to the belt the truck wont over heat with fan not spinning, and me not know. Thanks again for all the help guys!!