Hello,
I'm working on the charging system for my '46 half ton truck, after the battery has not seemed to be charging with intermittent driving and mostly sitting in the garage with a trickle charger at work.
The generator shop did a little work and tested the unit. I did the test described in section 235 of the 1946 Service Manual--attaching the Armature and Field wires to the Batt. terminal of the regulator and revved her up. Voltage was 7.2.
When I only measured 6.1 at the battery terminal, after the wires were restored to their positions, no amount of revving changed the voltage reading at the B terminal and the dash ammeter did not budge. Since there are no headlights installed at the moment, I turned on the dome light to see if increased RPM would make the bulb brighten. It didn't.
Opened up the Regulator, which had never been done, evidently from the rust and original cover rivets in place. I cleaned up the three contacts with an ignition file and put everything back together.
What are the practical tests of a properly working Voltage regulator?

I appreciate any advice from the users,

Tom

 

I have a book somewhere with that info in it. I just moved and can't find a thing. Revving the engine and having the voltage increase is a good sign that the generator is working. The next step in that section is to remove the yellow wire from the circuit breaker and connect an external ammeter to it. Then drive it for around 10-15 minutes. If the ammeter pegs and holds, everything is right. If it doesn't peg, or pegs and drops quickly, repair or replace the regulator.
My other book does have some tests (I think) but I have no idea what box it is in. Chances are that you need a new regulator anyway, but cleaning the points was a good step.
That's why I went alternator. Sometimes this "system" can be more of a headache that it's worth. (to me). Hope this helps some and I'll try to find the floor in the garage this week.

 

Thanks for the advice, Lee.
Is the attached page from the Service Manual the one you were looking for?

http://globbot.org/ford/VoltReg.jpeg

I'll try reading the voltage at the batt with the engine running.

 

I have a separate charging/starting system book laying around in my treasures. Out of all of the manuals I bought for the truck, this one has the most grease and oil stains on it. Wonder why? I will try to answer your question more coherently when I find the book.

 

are you positive the battery is good? a weak battery will give the symptoms of a bad regulator. if battery and generator are good, and there are no shorts in wiring, (check the full harness to make sure there are no issues), then the regulator is your issue.