I have a 1950 F1 that was converted to 12 volts. The battery's not charging. I installed new brushes in the generator and still nothing. What should I check next? It's a daily driver thru the summer.

 

You converted to 12 volts, so is the 12 volt battery hooked up correctly?

6 volt is positive ground.

12 volt is negative ground.

 

Did you remember to polarize? Disconnect the field (F) wire from the regulator and touch it briefly to the batt (B) connection on the regulator. Small blue spark and the job is done - hook it back up.

Generator works the same regardless of polarity. Starter also.

 

Did the problem start when you changed to 12v or was it working and stopped working? Regulator is usually the problem.

 

Also keep in mind a generator doesn't charge below approx 1500 rpms. If you're going by the gauge at idle it'll never happen. Even rev'ing it up might not make it show charge, but a couple of miles at 50 mph will.

 

check the springs in the generator could be bad?

Joe