Generator- charging
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: CHEESELAND, USA
Generator- charging
This might be a wildly known fact but it was new to me. I recently did some electrical work on my '64 1/2 Mustang. I unhooked the positive side of the battery to prevent unneccessary sparks flying thru the air. After finishing up I never started the car and just turned the key on to check that everything works. Anyway it was a great weekend to get the Pony out and take it for a ride. When I started it up the GEN light comes on. Old cars like old trucks can get under your skin at times. Anyway after an exhaustive search thru the electrical system and one phone call I found out what the problem was. The "field" in a generator needs to be CHARGED after a long disconnect from the battery. Use a jumper wire from the + side of the battery to the field side (+) of the generator. Just touch it and it will spark and then go fire up that old generated vehicle of yours and you should be charging. If not, good luck. Now if you already knew this you might be older and wiser than I but I know some of you have never heard of a generator and I am sure it will work on any brand or type of vehicle.
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Generator- charging
I knew about the Gen but, I don't why you wouldn't disconnect both cables instead of just the positive cable ?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Central Kali
Generator- charging
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-Jul-02 AT 11:33 PM (EST)]The generator relies on residual magnetism to generate voltage. Flashing the field winding was a common procedure in the good old days. The same thing can happen in stand-by power generators.
Hi Mick. I have a 65GT, bought new. Does this date me?
Hi Mick. I have a 65GT, bought new. Does this date me?
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Generator- charging
Yes ,I know I have a 64 1/2 mustang and 64 Fairlane both with generators ,I'm dated as well.
That still doesn't explain to me why you didn't dis-connect Both battery cables while WORKING on the car.
You can re-energize once the work is done.
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That still doesn't explain to me why you didn't dis-connect Both battery cables while WORKING on the car.
You can re-energize once the work is done.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Central Kali
Generator- charging
I only take off the negative terminal when doing any work. On some trucks if you take off the positive terminal first, the wrench could slip and touch body metal. 
With the negative post off, the battery can not discharge current even if you short the positive post to ground.
With the negative post off, the battery can not discharge current even if you short the positive post to ground.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Central Kali
Generator- charging
When you unhook the battery you shouldn't need to do anything. If the generator should fail to charge, you can flash the field winding to Battery +. I seem to recall that generator regulators were more prone to fail then alternator regulators. They have to limit the output current; alternators have built in current limiting.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: CHEESELAND, USA
Generator- charging
I just took the + side off as it's easy to do right by the solenoid. Shows how much I know, right. Maybe just lazy. I put in a new radio and am very sorry with the reception so now I have a cassette player with radio backup. Never will i buy another AutoSound radio. They are junk wrapped in a "will fit your old car" style.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Generator- charging
OK, I remember reading something about shorting the Bat terminal to the Field terminal for just a second on the Ford voltage regulator. Sounds like the 'correct' way to do it is use a jumper from batt + terminal to the field winding directly on the generator.
Keep 'er between the ditches.
Keep 'er between the ditches.
