Generator / Regulator Question

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Sep 26, 2016 | 07:04 PM

jvmcc

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 823

Likes: 4

From: Calais, Vermont

Generator / Regulator Question

Truck is '53 f100 215 six positive ground. I've got a new voltage regulator which I polarized (disconnected FLD wire from generator at the regulator, touched it to BAT terminal on regulator for about two seconds & saw the blue spark), my generator has been bench tested and it is working right, and my battery is new and fully charged. At low idle, the dash gauge needle is right in the middle. It doesn't appear to move at higher rpms. When any juice is used, such as turn signals or headlights, the needle moves to the discharge side, and still doesn't move at higher rpms. I am not sure what to check for now. Should I expect the needle to be on the positive side at higher rpms? Should it stay over on the discharge side when I'm using the lights? Should I have to adjust a new regulator?

Sep 26, 2016 | 07:18 PM

kendall66

5th Wheeling

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 45

Likes: 1

From: northwest iowa

have you tried putting a volt meter on the battery when running? it should read more than 12.8 volts if its charging. with the lights on it should show a discharge on the dash gage

Sep 26, 2016 | 07:22 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,283

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From: NM

What is your system voltage (measured across the battery) under these conditions:
-- 1500 RPM, no lights on
-- 1500 RPM, headlights on

Is your generator Ground wire connected solidly?

PS I assume you are still 6v?

Sep 26, 2016 | 09:01 PM

jvmcc

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 823

Likes: 4

From: Calais, Vermont

I'm running six volt positive ground. I measured the voltage at the battery with everything off and got 6.32 volts. When running at low rpm with nothing else using electricity, I got 6.18 volts. There is a 10 gauge wire between the voltage regulator and the generator. I will make sure that the inner fender (onto which the regulator is attached) is solidly grounded to the frame. Maybe that will make a difference.

Sep 26, 2016 | 10:19 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

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From: NM

Ground the regulator to the battery directly if you can.

Did you measure voltage at higher RPM's? The generator doesn't put anything out below about 900 RPM, so your numbers aren't surprising.

Sep 27, 2016 | 07:07 AM

jvmcc

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 823

Likes: 4

From: Calais, Vermont

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALBUQ F-1

Ground the regulator to the battery directly if you can.

Did you measure voltage at higher RPM's? The generator doesn't put anything out below about 900 RPM, so your numbers aren't surprising.

No, I didn't try that. I'll see what readings I get at higher rpms. I am also going to make sure that there is a good ground connection between the regulator and the frame. The positive battery terminal is very well grounded to the frame with a heavy wide strap. I also have a ground strap between the frame and the engine and the frame and the cab. But, I do not have any straps between the frame and any front end sheetmetal. I'll install a couple. The ground may be the problem; I painted all the body pieces prior to assembly, and the ground between the regulator and frame could be weak. I have also noticed that my turn signals flash at a slower rate that I recall that they used to. This may also be ground related?

Sep 27, 2016 | 09:15 AM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,283

Likes: 1,046

From: NM

The big ground strap connected to the battery should really go to the engine or bellhousing, as the starter is by far the heaviest load. The engine is sitting on rubber mounts, not connected directly to the frame electrically. Nothing on the frame or body draws much power.