| j.grif | -- 06-13-2011 @ 9:27 PM |
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The 36 with a cutout relay seems to be charging ok with no lights on. Switch the Dims on and the needle drops way below the center line and on brights the needle goes way to the bottom of the meter and increasing engine rpm doesn't bring the needle up or very little. Bad light wiring? something else? And was wondering if the battery is fully charged on a known good circuit would the amp needle be the center or show a slight charge ? Thanks again for the help
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| 37RAGTOPMAN | -- 06-14-2011 @ 4:28 AM |
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you have to move the third brush so it just charges a little with the lights on,maybe 3-5 amps, be sure recheck it with the lights off so it does not overcharge the battery, if you drive a lot at night you will need for it to charge while driving at night, if you drive in mostly in the day light it does not have to charge a lot, you have to test the battery so to see if the way it charges ,,and that it maintains a charge. hope this helps 37RAGTOPMAN This message was edited by 37RAGTOPMAN on 6-15-11 @ 5:08 AM
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| 40 Coupe | -- 06-14-2011 @ 4:46 AM |
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Sounds as if the generator is not charging properly, the generator should be able to put out, about 20.Amp. Since it is a generator the RPM has to be increased for the generator to reach maximun output. Check the generator brushes (with the battery disconnected), make sure they are in spring contact with the commutator. If the battery is fully charged, AND there is very little load (amperage demand) on the battery, the ammeter should indicate a zero charge. If you have just started the car there has been some demand on the battery and the ammeter should show some sign of recharging that amperage demand. The headlights apply a lage demand on the battery, second only to the starter motor. The country beams increase the load of the traffic beam by 50%.
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| supereal | -- 06-14-2011 @ 11:59 AM |
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You didn't mention whether the lights, themselves, come on, and how bright they are. The third brush in the generator should be adjusted, as mentioned above, until the needle is just above center when the lights are on. If your lights are dim, you have a loss somewhere in the system, or a bad ground. In either case, or with a "casual" short, the voltage is being "dropped" somewhere along the way. The system depends on a known good battery to function properly. If you have doubts about its condition, I'd try a different battery before adjusting the generator.
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| j.grif | -- 06-14-2011 @ 10:11 PM |
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thanks much for all the very useful info
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