C1 Charging Problem

[Jeff Heavrin]

I have a '59 I just purchased and on the way home I discovered that the battery wasn't being charged. I removed the generator and voltage regulator and had them tested. The voltage regulator supposedly checked out OK. The generator did not. I replaced the brushes in the generator, cleaned all connections and reinstalled. The amp gauge still shows no charge. I am assuming the gauge is working since it shows a draw when the starter is engaged.

The battery tested OK.

Should I go ahead and bite the bullet for a new generator or are their additional procedures I should perform? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Larry Allen]

Re: C1 Charging Problem

You may need to polorize the system at the regulator. Check the service manual, or any older edition of Chiltons repair manual, to see the best way to accomplish.

[Larry Allen]

Re: C1 Charging Problem

You may need to polorize the system at the regulator. Check the service manual, or any older edition of Chiltons repair manual, to see the best way to accomplish.

[Gary Chesnut]

Re: C1 Charging Problem

Check with induction amp meter on the positive battery cable and that will tell you for sure if the generator is charging or not. Gary.... e-mail gchesnut@flash.net

[Gary Chesnut]

Re: C1 Charging Problem

Check with induction amp meter on the positive battery cable and that will tell you for sure if the generator is charging or not. Gary.... e-mail gchesnut@flash.net

[John H.]

Re: C1 Charging Problem

Gary -

Have you polarized the generator? Take a short length of heavy wire and touch its ends briefly to the "Bat" and "Gen" terminals on the voltage regulator (you'll see a pretty hefty spark) - this "tells" the generator what it's supposed to be doing. See if you then show a charge indication with the engine revved up (generators don't do much at idle).

[John H.]

Re: C1 Charging Problem

Gary -

Have you polarized the generator? Take a short length of heavy wire and touch its ends briefly to the "Bat" and "Gen" terminals on the voltage regulator (you'll see a pretty hefty spark) - this "tells" the generator what it's supposed to be doing. See if you then show a charge indication with the engine revved up (generators don't do much at idle).

[Ed Jennings NCRS #1550]

Re: C1 Charging Problem

Also, if you ground the field terminal of the generator, it takes the regulator out of the system. At this point the generator should be putting out 15+ unregulated volts. If not, the generator may need more attention.

[Ed Jennings NCRS #1550]

Re: C1 Charging Problem

Also, if you ground the field terminal of the generator, it takes the regulator out of the system. At this point the generator should be putting out 15+ unregulated volts. If not, the generator may need more attention.

[Bob Malone #35242]

Re: C1 Charging Problem

If you can verify that the system isn't charging that's one thing. Don't rely on the car's ammeter. A common problem is that the wiring diagram for C1's is wrong and shows the ammeter wired backwards therefore, the system is charging but indicates it is not on the ammeter.

[Bob Malone #35242]

Re: C1 Charging Problem

If you can verify that the system isn't charging that's one thing. Don't rely on the car's ammeter. A common problem is that the wiring diagram for C1's is wrong and shows the ammeter wired backwards therefore, the system is charging but indicates it is not on the ammeter.