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Discussion Topic:
generator not charging
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Wolfie |
07-09-2012 @ 3:59 PM
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I put a rebuilt generator on my car and have been running it for about a month. The battery gauge at first worked but stoped showing a charge recently and doesn't move at all. A volt-ohmeter on the battery with the engine running shows a wide and wild jumping charge rate. With the engine off the battery shows 5.95 volts. Could anything other than the generator be causing this?
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supereal |
07-09-2012 @ 5:18 PM
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We need to know the year and model of your car to comment.
This message was edited by supereal on 7-9-12 @ 5:18 PM
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Wolfie |
07-09-2012 @ 5:23 PM
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New Member
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It is a 1940 Fordor deluxe. Thanks!
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supereal |
07-09-2012 @ 5:30 PM
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Check the output of the generator by placing a voltmeter between the battery terminal on the regulator and ground. The output should be fairly steady around 7.5 volts. If not, it is likely the generator is failing, probably the brushes or the commutator are worn, or the british springs are weak. I'd suspect a repair or rebuild is in order. It could be a weak battery or poor connection, but mt bet is on the generator.
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supereal |
07-09-2012 @ 5:30 PM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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Check the output of the generator by placing a voltmeter between the battery terminal on the regulator and ground. The output should be fairly steady around 7.5 volts. If not, it is likely the generator is failing, probably the brushes or the commutator are worn, or the british springs are weak. I'd suspect a repair or rebuild is in order. It could be a weak battery or poor connection, but mt bet is on the generator.
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Wolfie |
07-09-2012 @ 10:28 PM
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Well my battery went dead so I'm going to take my generator back to see if it is working properly.
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supereal |
07-10-2012 @ 6:57 AM
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A good battery that goes dead can be a symptom of a faulty voltage regulator with a sticking or stuck cutout relay. Once the battery is discharged, it may not be able to be charged by the car's system due to high internal resistance. The only sure way of diagnosing a bad regulator without special equipment is by swapping a known good or new unit.
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Wolfie |
07-10-2012 @ 8:24 PM
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I thought about the voltage regulator but had no way of testing it and don't understand this electrical stuff anyway. I've already taken the generator back to have checked. The voltage regulator would be an easy fix if it is the culprit.
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TomO |
07-12-2012 @ 8:25 AM
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You should have brought the voltage regulator with it and they could have checked it at the same time. When you have charging problems, it is always a good idea to bring both the regulator and generator in for testing. That way, when you get it back, you know it should work.
Tom
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Wolfie |
07-12-2012 @ 5:44 PM
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TomO, that is a great idea to take the voltage regulator in to have checked at the same time but I didn't think of it. I got the generator back today and it is good, so I bought a new voltage regulator and will give that a try.
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