Gentleman again my need for information is the generator question. How much voltage should my meter show on the output side of the generator, and the output side of the cutout, and at the battery? With the motor not running and with it running.
With the motor not running there should be no voltage on the generator side of the cutout. There should be 6 volts on the battery side of the cutout and at the battery. The above assumes a 6 volt battery which is standard equipment for a Model T. When you start the engine both sides of the cutout should be 6 volts. Your ammeter reading will vary according to how the 3rd brush is set and the speed of the engine. At about 25 mph you should set the 3rd brush for about 6 amps. Less if you drive every day and more if you drive with the lights on.
Norm
I would think if you had 6 volt output from a generator that was running you might have a bad generator. Shouldn't it be closer to 7 volts?
You're right. It should be slightly more than 6 volts so that the current will flow toward the battery to charge the battery.
Norm
I usually write this on the spec sheet for each generator but I don't have a copy handy. It should be about 7.2 to 7.4 volts output at the gen terminal (Running). The voltage at the cutout terminal will be slightly less because of the shunt resistance(Running).
When not running, the generator terminal should read zero volts and the cutout terminal should read slightly less than battery voltage due to wire resistance. A fully charged battery should read about 6.4 to 6.6 volts at the battery terminals depending on temperature.
As a note the voltage will rise as the current decreases. Regardless that the generator may be set at say 10 amps, as the battery demand lessens you should see the voltage rise. You can see this on a line charger. A very dead battery may set at say 40 amps + and the voltage perhaps 6.5v or even less. As the current ramps down you will see the voltage rise.
Depending on the battery perhaps above 8V.
Now as my statements tend to cause reactions here let me qualify this by saying the numbers are meaningless, just examples. Variation is dependent upon the battery and it's condition.
Gassing typically occurs at those higher voltages.
Non technical observations.
Note to Bill W, sorry.