Generator

Habusailor

Habusailor

Senior Member
I have a 35 sedan with the original generator converted to 12volt neg ground. Amp gage stays in neutral position at a steady run speed but if I stomp on the gas and run at a high speed the gage goes to full charge. I have the diode cutout which I just changed to a new one and I can hear it clicking. When I put in the headlights (which are 12volt)gauge goes to full discharge. I think it is brushes but my question is how do I test the generator on the car?


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Have you added a voltage regulator? Or is the cutout you mention also a regulator? With 12 volts you need more than that diode cutout. terry
 
No I have not added a voltage regulator but I have run with just the diode cutout for 10 years and the amp gauge always showed some charging at anything above a slow idle, now it doesn’t show any charging until probably 1500rpm.

Also I have installed a new battery.


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Why did you go with a new diode cutout? Did the old one go bad and is this when the pbm started? If so, i think that 1st cutout was one of those regulators that looks like a cutout. They are hard to come by now. I have a 36 Ford and did the same but hid a regulator under the dash and left the cutout on the generator just for looks.
 
Can you give me the make and part number of the voltage regulator you used? Or a picture.


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A clicking diode cutout? There are no moving parts in these, so I don't understand this. What makes you think it needs brushes? If it is jumping to full output at high speed, the brushes are working. What kind of headlights - incandescent. LED, halogen? The current draw of each is very different. Have you removed the band and inspected for loose connections or worn insulation, or anything else amiss? How was it converted to 12v - just a field coil change or was the armature rewound for 12v too? How it was done affects the output.

Please post a couple clear, well lit photos of your generator and cutout.

Steve
 
Steve has it right. His questions need to be answered. But, for what it's worth, my regulator is a Bosch electronic one made for VWs from about 1968 to about 1994. It works real well, never letting the voltage go over 13.7 charge rate from the generator. Can't remember where I bought it. terry
 
The regulator # is SKU 30 019. It was made in Mexico and the installation directions are in Spanish. It made things a bit harder, but the illustrations helped alot.
 
Those cutouts made into a regulator for the early 3 brush gennies were a great thing.
Originally made by "fun projects", available in 6 or12v, pos or neg ground, they were good, I have 2. However, they have not been available for several years now. The original electrical engineer who invented them retired and sold the manufacture rites to Bird haven auto parts, who has not been able to find anyone to make them. If anyone knows more up to date info, please post it. They were a good product
 
Yes, those cutout looking regs were good. However, the 12v one was intended for use with the original 3 brush generator. And they warned not to have the charging rate go over about 9 amps or the reg and generator could overheat. 9 amps isn't enough if you have lights on, radio going, and a heater fan on as well. Sailor, is your generator still using 3 brushes or has it been converted to 2 brush?
 
terry said:
The regulator # is SKU 30 019. It was made in Mexico and the installation directions are in Spanish. It made things a bit harder, but the illustrations helped alot.
Click to expand...

Is that Bosch regulator for an A or B type field circuit? Stock Ford 3-brush generators are A circuit, while stock Ford 2-brush generators are B circuit. So I'm curious about your Bosch regulator/generator conversion configuration.
Thanks Steve.
 
I assume from what you say that it would have to the B type circuit, I am using a rebuilt
3 brush generator with 2 wires coming out of the top in back. The Bosch regulator instructions don't say if it is A or B. It has attachments on its top for for wires from the generator armature and field, and for a wire to the battery. Also there is an attachment for a wire to a warning light at dash.
 
The generator could be wired either way, it depends on the regulator used. I'm not familiar with the VW Bosch system.

In an A circuit the field is internally energized by having one end connected to the power brush or 3rd brush with the other end to the regulator F terminal. The output is controlled by grounding the field through the regulator. '33 - '39 stock ford 3-brush generators have the field lead exiting the case and grounded to a cutout screw. But if the rare oblong 2-charge regulator was installed, the field lead would connect to it to control the charge rate via grounding.

In a B circuit the field is internally grounded (to the grounded brush or the case) with the other end connected to the regulator F terminal and energized from the regulator. How much current the regulator feeds to the fields determines generator output.
Stock ford 2-brush is B circuit.

So in the case of your conversion, whoever did the work would have to know which circuit the regulator is for, then wire the fields accordingly. I was just curious how yours was done.

Steve
 
The Bosch system as used in VW is a type A system—- the regulator makes a ground to energize the field.
 
So I must have the A circuit with the 3rd brush still being used, if I understand you correctly. It's been awhile since I bought the converted generator. The person who did the work must have told me what regulator to use. I can't believe it was just luck that I am using the Bosch regulator. terry
 
terry said:
So I must have the A circuit with the 3rd brush still being used, if I understand you correctly. It's been awhile since I bought the converted generator. The person who did the work must have told me what regulator to use. I can't believe it was just luck that I am using the Bosch regulator. terry[/QUOTE

That makes sense. Does yours have a rewound 12v armature or just 12v field coils? This is a timely discussion. I rebuild/restore a lot of Ford 6v generators. But I am building a 12v connversion '33-'37 generator right now to be put up for sale. With all the low quality regulators out there, its nice to hear of a good one that I can recommend. Thanks. Steve

Still waiting to hear back from the OP on details of his generator.
Click to expand...
 
Steve, I don't really know if it has just the 12v field coils. But I've read on earlier posts that itself is enough to raise the amp output considerably. I should take the top cover off and look more carefully inside. Best wishes on your work. terry
 
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