When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
48 F1. 6V Positive gnd.
Now that it runs great I need to figure out the charging issue so I can go further from home.
Which of these three should show more than battery voltage?
Number 1 and 2 show slightly less than battery voltage, number 3 shows exact battery voltage. 6.17.
This is when reved up too.
Do I need to disconnect generator to test? To isolate from voltage regulator?
Thanks
Where were you meauring from ground at? Hopefully the + battery terminal. But the fact you are showing voltage of 6 volts on your #3 terminal or ground terminal on your generator is not right. You may need a little grounding work. You mentioned all 3 terminals were showing a little over 6 volts. The number 3 terminal since its ground should show 0 volts. The number 3 terminal should be ground for the generator case, and the other end of that wire should run to a bolt on your Voltage Regulator base. Where does your battery ground strap connect? It really should connect right to your engine block because when you push the start button all the current the starter demands from the battery should go straight to the block. Then from your engine block run a ground to you cab's firewall, and then another ground from the engine block should run to your frame. You want these because engine and cab mounts have rubber isolators and bushings in them so they will not be great help for grounding connections.
About what you should read voltage wise. I was just helping out on some charging system issues on a 49 F-1 the other day. After we were done (we needed to polarize the generator by removing the F and B wires from the voltage regulator, touch them together, then hook them back to the regulator again) we then had charging voltage on the Armature, or in your picture terminal #1. And the Field voltage (your #2 ) was measuring around (if I recall) 3.5 volts. We didn't try to measure at the ground terminal on the generator. Again measuring from a good ground to there it should be 0.
Hope this helps!
Personally…I gave up on my generator / regulator. It simply didn’t provide the current needed. I replaced mine with a powergen alternator. It was about $400 and it powers halogen headlights well.
Where were you meauring from ground at? Hopefully the + battery terminal. But the fact you are showing voltage of 6 volts on your #3 terminal or ground terminal on your generator is not right. You may need a little grounding work. You mentioned all 3 terminals were showing a little over 6 volts. The number 3 terminal since its ground should show 0 volts. The number 3 terminal should be ground for the generator case, and the other end of that wire should run to a bolt on your Voltage Regulator base. Where does your battery ground strap connect? It really should connect right to your engine block because when you push the start button all the current the starter demands from the battery should go straight to the block. Then from your engine block run a ground to you cab's firewall, and then another ground from the engine block should run to your frame. You want these because engine and cab mounts have rubber isolators and bushings in them so they will not be great help for grounding connections.
About what you should read voltage wise. I was just helping out on some charging system issues on a 49 F-1 the other day. After we were done (we needed to polarize the generator by removing the F and B wires from the voltage regulator, touch them together, then hook them back to the regulator again) we then had charging voltage on the Armature, or in your picture terminal #1. And the Field voltage (your #2 ) was measuring around (if I recall) 3.5 volts. We didn't try to measure at the ground terminal on the generator. Again measuring from a good ground to there it should be 0.
Hope this helps!
Thanks you! Yes polarizing worked as well as checking voltage the proper way. Thanks for the clear description.
Personally…I gave up on my generator / regulator. It simply didn’t provide the current needed. I replaced mine with a powergen alternator. It was about $400 and it powers halogen headlights well.
Too each his own but I want to keep my truck stock . 6V positive ground. Obviously no halogen lights for me
You can get a 6 volt positive ground alternator. You can even get one that looks like a generator. I know my trucks seem much more dependable with the alternators I have installed.
Too each his own but I want to keep my truck stock . 6V positive ground. Obviously no halogen lights for me
Good for you! Hang in there! I'm even running no nib- NOS- GE head lights, its worth it in the end. I had a lot of trouble recently but we finally got it all sorted out. Everything with 6V has to be perfect, there is no casual approach, that I can tell you. Plus I have a lot of original accessories , a lot of lights and the stock 6v charging system keeps up with everything just fine.
If your'e using original equipment? Can I suggest some things to you? Firstly, send your generator to Steve Blancard. This guy is a generator genius. He goes above what any typical rebuilder does to test and service your 6V Ford Generator. I would highly recommend starting with a fresh 6V optima battery inside a reproduction look-a -like case from Chucks Trucks, and getting your generator rebuilt by Steve. Then make sure your Voltage Regulator is adjusted and working properly. Then make sure all grounds and wiring is up to date, then make sure your battery cables are 00.
One major issue I had was the bus bar between the circuit breakers under the dash, the back side was badly corroded. Point being that something like this odd out of view condition can come to bite you in a big way.
The 1951 Ford Service Forum booklets, they go into full, easy to understand, and illustrated detail on diagnosis and testing of the Charging System among other topics. I would also recommend you get a hold of these booklets. Sorry its actually booklet No. 3 you want. The Holy Triptych; Battery, Generator, Regulator. There are several on eBay right now for $10. Steve Blancard's email is: splitdorf@***.net
Thank you. I’ve watched Blancards videos on YouTube . If I need a rebuild I know where to send it.
ill check the bus bar,
Cool, One of his videos featured one of my generators actually. It tested good initially, then he found a short on the growler. I've learned with Generators and Starters, they will still keep "sort of" working for a long time, fooling an owner into thinking that the 6V system is to blame.
Cool, One of his videos featured one of my generators actually. It tested good initially, then he found a short on the growler. I've learned with Generators and Starters, they will still keep "sort of" working for a long time, fooling an owner into thinking that the 6V system is to blame.
I figure the 6v system has worked 76 years, it should be good with proper care .
I figure the 6v system has worked 76 years, it should be good with proper care .
Exactly right! Plus you'll be in a very small club of lunatics who not only drive antique trucks on modern roads, but who have the gall to keep it exactly as it was designed to be in 1948!
Exactly right! Plus you'll be in a very small club of lunatics who not only drive antique trucks on modern roads, but who have the gall to keep it exactly as it was designed to be in 1948!
When I bought it I wanted to convert it to 4x4 because of where I live, but it’s just too original to change. So it’s getting mechanically restored with the patina staying.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
