ammeter showing discharge when lights turned on

Mark Doud · Jan 13, 2014

Hi All

I've been trying to run down a issue with my 6 volt farmall c with a generator. It previously wasn't charging at all so I've replaced the voltage regulator with a new one, and replaced the battery. Now it shows charging at around 3-4 amps but when I turn on the lights it drops down to discharge. I've double checked all the wires and they look fine, and before I replaced the regulator I grounded out the field post per John T's instructions and it showed charging at 10 amps.

Anybody have ideas on what it might be?

Thanks a bunch!

Mark D.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 13, 2014

Did you polarize the generator after you put a new regulator on. I don't know if that would be your problem, but know you should polarize the system when wires have been unhooked.

Janicholson · Jan 13, 2014

The new Regulator is not set at the correct voltage. Setting it is a bit complex and needs pages to do correctly (old automotive books from the 1950s work to set the VR part of the device. If it is brand new take it back and explain ythat you have inadequate voltage when in the circuit, and when full fielded it puts out correctly.
Purchasing an American made regulator is best but pricy. There are solid state VRs made to solve the issue but they are even more. Jim

Geo-TH,In · Jan 13, 2014

Generators are not like alternators. You have to rev up the engine to increase the out put from a generator. You may be lucky for a generator to put out 10 amps or so.

I had an old VW with a genny. At a stop light, it would show discharge and the lights would go dim.

I recently helped a friend work on a massy 50, 12v genny. The new voltage regulator had no adjustments. The voltage steadly climed to 17v. That's when I fine tuned the regulator's springs with needle nose pliers to decrease the spring tension on the voltage coil in regulator. After 3 attempts, friend was happy. Voltage was holding aroung 14.5 v

So either rev it up. If that doesn't work replace regulator or fine tune it with needle nose.

George

Mark Doud · Jan 13, 2014

This was advertised as an American made Delco regulator but when I received it there was a made in India stamped on the box.

Mark Doud · Jan 13, 2014

No I didn't, I didn't realize that polarization would effect charging capacity in that way.

JMOR · Jan 13, 2014

(quoted from post at 22:03:21 01/13/14) No I didn't, I didn't realize that polarization would effect charging capacity in that way.

t won't, Mark.

gene bender · Jan 13, 2014

One more time what is the Delco # on the gen and do you have the correct reg not just any reg off someones shelf if the gen is ok and its wired correct to the lite sw along with the lites it will charge when the lites are on or off. I get work all the time on those old systems and they do work if things are correct.

teddy52food · Jan 13, 2014

If it is charging anything at all , it is polarized. Just put a little more tension on the field control points.

IH2444 · Jan 13, 2014

(quoted from post at 18:52:05 01/13/14) Hi All

I've been trying to run down a issue with my 6 volt farmall c with a generator. It previously wasn't charging at all so I've replaced the voltage regulator with a new one, and replaced the battery. Now it shows charging at around 3-4 amps but when I turn on the lights it drops down to discharge. I've double checked all the wires and they look fine, and before I replaced the regulator I grounded out the field post per John T's instructions and it showed charging at 10 amps.

Anybody have ideas on what it might be?

Thanks a bunch!

Mark D.

Yep it will show a discharge if the lights are drawing more amps than the gen is putting out.
It is actually discharging the battery.

Bret4207 · Jan 14, 2014

If you google "adjusting Delco voltage regulator" you should get page after page of hits with scans of 1950's and 60's tech books on just how to do it. I have a book printed in the early 50's when voltage regulators were NEW! tech that's just on adjusting them, and I've seen them on Ebay for a dollar or less.

Texasmark1 · Jan 14, 2014

Back in the day of the auto gen, that's the way it was. Stop at a red light and the ammeter would go to - unless you revved the engine. Soon as you pull out back to +.

Sounds normal to me.

Mark

Waltmo · Jan 14, 2014

Check tension on fan belt.
WaltMo

ammeter showing discharge when lights turned on

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