Electrical: Wiring Generator Question

[rogerg.123]

I am hoping to get some advice. My generator is not showing any output when measured at the battery are on the dashboard. I’ve already OverHaul the generator I’m wondering if I wired incorrectly perhaps to the regulator. Does anyone have any information that might help me? Thank you in advance Roger

[doug]

Did you flash the field on the generator?

[rogerg.123]

Oh lord no, have no idea about that, can you please expand that idea for me?

[RadioRoy]

The procedure is in the shop manual. It basically magnetizes the field coils in the generator so it knows the correct polarity of the system.

Assuming that your car is six volts, that would be positive ground.

[rogerg.123]

Thank you Roy, looking it up now

[gjamesk]

Double check your wiring at the regulator.

[rogerg.123]

That is where my big question lies. I have read the manual it’s very complicated. There are no markings on the voltage regulator to say which lead goes where. I suspect those wires are wrong I have no way of being positive. When it comes to flashing the manual is too complicated for me especially when I don’t know which terminal switch on the voltage regulator. I’m definitely in trouble on this one!!

[gordr]

If you look closely at the regulator, you should see the three terminal tabs bear stamped marks, like "Bat", "Arm", and "Fld". Nearly all do. They might be marked on the cover, instead. "Bat" goes to the battery, by way of the ammeter, usually. "Arm" goes to the generator armature, and "Fld" goes to the generator field. On most generators, the field screw is the smaller one. And most generators will have stamped markings next to the studs, reading "A" and "F". Once you are sure that you know which terminal is which, flashing the field is simply a matter of following the shop manual directions.

There are two common schemes for wiring generators: "A" circuit, and "B" circuit. In one of those, the regulator supplies battery voltage to the field, and in the other, the field is internally connected to the armature, and the regulator supplies a ground to the field. To flash the field you either make a brief contact, say a half-second, between field and battery, or field and ground (with the ignition on, IIRC). Just try both, and whichever one works, works. You can't do any harm, unless you "flash" for so long the smoke gets out. These parts are rugged.

[StudeRich]

It WOULD have been helpful if your Generator to Reg. WIRES were correct.
The Arm. would be Larger Gauge and a different Color than the Field Wire.

Also, Most Generators are Stamped F and A next to the Terminal Stud.
The Only one I can see on yours, says "6", some were numbered that way, but I can't see the one out of sight.

I see this Reg. is a Delco or Delco System replacement, so "usually" (not always) depends on the Year) that means it is a Commander, Not an Autolite Type Circuit.

[rogerg.123]

Thank you Gord, I looked for markings on the voltage regulator did not see any but first thing tomorrow morning I will be out there again looking closer. Thank you so much for this information would you clarify what you mean by IIRC?

[gordr]

IIRC = If I remember correctly.

[VIRGILX]

Roger,
It's "If I recall Correctly"
Duane

[altair]

It is always a good policy to attach a ground wire from the generator housing directly to the regulator frame. Many cars were wired that way, but Studebaker wasn't it still is a good policy. I removed my generator for some service and painting and opened the ground and it wouldn't charge. After scraping some of my new paint off it was OK again, hence the ground wire to the regulator. The designation may be on the tabs under your wires.

[rogerg.123]

This could prove to be very helpful, I will check it first thing in the morning thank you very much, Roger

[gjamesk]

Once you've confirmed your wiring, this illustration in the manual is pretty straightforward.