C1 Not charging??

[Don Izzo]

My brother's 58 seems to be not charging. The car was recently rebuilt and the new battery is always dead. THe ammeter shows zero when the car is running and drops below the zero when We add a load like the headlights. You guys always have easy diagnostic systems checks and I was wondering if you could tell me how to tell if it is charging, if not if its the generator or the regulator or both! P.S. the car was fine before the Gen and reg were removed for the overhaul. We did polorize the regulator upon re-assembly.

Don

[Doug Flaten]

Re: C1 Not charging??

Easiest way to tell if it is not charging is to read battery voltage when the car is running. With a generator you will have to rev the engine a little to get the regulator and kick in. As engine revs the voltage should increase from 12 volts and then the regulator should limit the voltage to something roughly between 13 - 15 volts.

Another way without a volt meter is to disconnect the positive cable from the battery, once the vehicle is running. The generator will keep the engine running if it or the regulator are functioning.

[roy braatz]

Re: C1 Not charging??

I think the genny is NOT grounded, First Ground the the genny to a good grounding point.

[William C.]

Re: C1 Not charging??

Same for the regulator, a good ground is needed and ususlly is provided between the gen and the regulator by the shielded braid on the gen to reg wiring harness

[Bob Simard]

C1 Not charging??

If the battery has been disconnected, jump the bat terminal to the field terminal momentarily to polarize the generator. I think it is these two terminals, when in doubt, use a screwdriver to jump the two lower terminals on the regulator. One spark and your done.

[Garry Barnes]

Re: C1 Not charging??

I would agree with Roy. I recently had my 56 rebuilt and upon reassembly I had the same situation. Everything worked before the rebuild. We put a star washer "hidden of course" at the generator bracket between the bracket and the larger washer that belongs there and it is now working fine. It seems that when we painted the generator bracket we got the paint a bit too heavy not allowing it to ground properly. The star washer did the trick. Good luck.