I have a new cutout ordered from Lang's for our '21 Touring. We hope our generator is good. Right now I have a ground wire from the terminal on the generator to one of the cutout mounting screws, and the end of the wire to the cutout insulated, following advice given on here to preserve the generator. My question is after I install the new diode type cutout, do I flash the generator or not? I know flashing is sometimes needed when using an original, point type cutout but never when using a Funprojects regulator, but what about the diode type? Thanks.
If you previously had positive ground battery, and then turned the battery around, you should flash the generator. You can do this by taking the hot wire from the battery and very briefly touch it to the generator output. Do this a few times. Then install the cutout and if the generator is still good you should show the charge on the ammeter when the engine is running at a fast idle. If it shows discharge, it is possible that the ammeter was also installed backward so that the needle would point to charge. When everything is correct, it should be zero(or near zero) with the key off. The reason I say near zero is because some ammeters are not 100% accurate. Then with the engine off and the lights on it should show discharge. Then with the lights off and the engine running at high idle, you should show a charge. The amount of charge is set by adjusting the 3rd brush. If most of your driving is with lights out, it should show 4 or 5 amps charge. If you do a lot of driving with lights on adjust so it points to zero when running with lights on.
Norm
You may have to flash. It will cause no damage to the diode cutout.
Tommy,
With all the scandal now you must be careful when you flash your generator. This fellow got arrested and told the police he flashed his generator three times and it still didn't help.
But he did get charged!
Stay AWAY from those plug wires....