Generator not charging

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Generator not charging
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy Glowacki on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 03:48 pm:

My generator was not charging. I put a voltage regulator from John Regan on it. I tried to adjust the third brush but found it was already at the limit of its adjustment. Do I assume that the generator is done ? It appears to be original to the car (27 Roadster)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 03:55 pm:

Randy,
How do you know it is not charging?

A real test to see if it is working is to measure the battery voltage with the engine off and compare that reading to the measurement when running. If the battery voltage is more when it is running, you know that the charging system is working.

Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Zibell on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 05:55 pm:

Putting a regulator on it won't correct a charging problem. If original it may need a rebuild. See the vendors listed from the main MTFCA page. When you get it back, be sure to follow John's instructions for setup. Checking it again the next day is important.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 07:25 pm:

I assume with the previous cutout it showed a positive charge via ammeter and now does not? It may be working fine. The original system charged no mater if the battery needed it or not. The generator equipped with a V.R. will only charge if the battery needs it. This leads to the ammeter often looking like nothing is going on. Previously (with factory cut out)it always showed a positive charge being generated.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy Glowacki on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 08:14 pm:

Erich.
With the old cutout in place the meter showed no charge, always remaining at zero. I know the meter is ok cause when I put the lights on it shows a 10 amp discharge


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 08:35 pm:

Ooohhhhh, then the gen may be not well. Did it ever work? I am seeing in your future the MTFCA electrical system book and a generator repair?

Here are some pics of my project after my gen died shortly following the failure of the old cut-out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bruckzone/sets/72157622909753128/


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willie K Cordes on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 08:56 pm:

Generators have gotten too expensive to maintain. If they need rewinding the cost gets to be more than a new alternator with a built in regulator cost and and the alternator last a lot longer with no maintenance.
I am not a purist and this solves my problem.
A few of my early brass cars I try to keep peroid correct, but the later T's I just want to get in and drive.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 09:00 pm:

Depending on what happened to the old regulator, it could have caused the generator to burn out. An open circuit between the generator and the battery causes very high current internally in the generator which will burn out the windings. Usually when this happens solder will fly off the commutator and get on the cover ring. If the cutout stuck open that could be what happened. Also a loose connection anywhere between the generator and battery could cause it to happen. When this happens the only cure is a rebuilt generator.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Jablonski on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 09:10 pm:

Randy:

Does the generator commutator bars look dark ??

Have engine running, take a lead pencil with a rubber eraser, remove generator band, and place the eraser end on the running commutator to clean the copper bars to copper shine.

I've done this to my generator to "restore" charging.

Bob Jablonski


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy Glowacki on Saturday, November 02, 2013 - 11:06 pm:

Hi Bob,
I will try the eraser tomorrow when I come back from driving it to church, Randy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Rowles on Sunday, November 03, 2013 - 02:37 am:

My ammeter indicated no charge when I took the car out of winter storage this year. When I removed the generator and opened the inspection cover at the brush/commutator to inspect, I found one connection for a brush wire was not tight(nut or screw was loose). After reassembly the charging rate on ammeter returned to normal. Sometimes we get lucky and the problem is simple and fixable!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Sunday, November 03, 2013 - 08:24 am:

Don't try flashing it with the voltage regulator on it as can be done with the old cut-out. That will only break the V.R.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed Fry on Sunday, November 03, 2013 - 07:58 pm:

After doing the pencil eraser trick give the commutator and brushes a few shots of electrical contact cleaner. I used CRC contact cleaner after installing one of John Regans VR and the generator has been working like a charm for the past 2 years.


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