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1951 Champion: Generator / Regulator - Charging Issue

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  • #1

    Electrical: 1951 Champion: Generator / Regulator - Charging Issue

    Everything worked great on my last run several weeks ago, and I always disconnect the battery cables after putting the car back in the garage. Today however, the amp gauge just sat there when I cranked it up. Didn't move at all. No charging going on. The engine cranked and ran great.

    I had the generator rebuilt and tested several months ago. So what's the problem here? I didn't polarize the regulator after hooking the battery cables back on. But I've not done that in the past and there's never been a problem when I've disconnected the battery and put the leads back on.

    Any ideas on troubleshooting on why there's no charging seen at the amp gauge? If I put a digital voltmeter on the generator output terminals, what should be the voltage there? How can you check out the regulator?

    Thanks for the help!
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  • #2
    With the engine running at 1000 rpm or more I would expect the volt meter to show a 1/2 to a little more then 1 volt above what the battery voltage was prior to starting the engine. A generator does not put out much at idle speed.
    You said the ammeter does not move with the engine running. What happens when you turn the lights on; if the generator is not charging the meter should go to negative.
    Ron

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    • #3
      There is good reading about the generator and regulator in the shop manual for your car. I have a 50 Champion with the 170 motor in it. there is a RPM/volts chart in the book if I remember right. You may have lost connection between the gauge and ground or positive.

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      • #4
        Make sure the generator is grounded use a jumper from the generator housing to a good ground maby the ground continuity is open.

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        • #5
          The battery disconnected may be a clue. Sometimes the regulator looses poliarity, won't function properly. With the engine off you have to polarizie the regulator, but I don't remember which termilals you have to short together. someone will be along to remind me....

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          • #6
            charging

            Originally posted by Tom B View Post
            The battery disconnected may be a clue. Sometimes the regulator looses poliarity, won't function properly. With the engine off you have to polarizie the regulator, but I don't remember which termilals you have to short together. someone will be along to remind me....
            I don't believe that disconnecting the battery would have any effect on the regulators polarity, batteries are disconnected and reconnected regularly without any polarity issues. I run my engine every day and disconnect the battery every day with out any issues. One time my generator wouldn't charge was when I decided to derust all the brackets and apply a coat of paint and ground continuity was open I scraped off the paint and all was well. I don't mean to burst your bubble I hope you don't take it that way but I don't think disconnecting the battery will cause any polarity issues Cheers Dave

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