flathead charging trouble....12 volt

1

1bali-rod

Well-known member
hello
and
help...

i have a 1931 ford roadster with a 1940 flathead drive line.

previously rebuilt and 12v converted generator.
new voltage regulator.
1.5 year old optima battery.

The car ran great for about a year ,then all of a sudden no charging.

i must jump start to run .and i have no charging on my volt meter.
when i turn it off it will not start again unless jump started.

there is probobly a simple explanation for this however i wanted to try my luck with the experts.

any input will be appreciated.
bali-rod
 

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Got a 40 block in my 35 did the same with the gen (converted to 12 ) when running the gen should put out 13 volts @ 1500 rpm +/- At idle your not charging the bat. at all. If you are running a new fm radio it pulls juice 24 /7 and halogen head lights do pull more from the battery. I'm not sure how to properly charge a optima ,I heard there is a trick to it . A fully charged battery should be at 13 volts. I'm not expert but I keep a cheap multimeter handy and check often.I put alternators in my model a's and never had a problem Good Luck Dave
 
Sounds like your battery was not getting charged for most of the time it the engine was in operation.
Check your grounds, on the battery terminal, ground strap connection, no grease, etc. Must be very clean. Check the crimping on your battery cables.
What about your wiring for the generator, is it all in good condition, no frays, etc.
Check on the voltage regulator?
What is the battery voltage with the engine running?
Generator grounded?
It is usually the simple stuff that is overlooked.
What is the battery's voltage with out the engine running?
Do you have a open circuit that is draining battery power?
Again all grounds must be squeaky clean.
 
thanks guys for all the knowledgable info.

got the gen rebuilt.
and i didnt have a very good ground , so i ran a better one..

charging fine now. time to drive this old dog.

thanks
 
Bali, That is SWEET. I bet that ol dog has a pretty good bark too. Don't look like he has to stay on the porch.
 
I tried to gather all the gen/reg testing info I have and pick the minds of others in the HAMB post below; so far I have managed to keep my generators going all my life.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278956&highlight=generator+testing&showall=1

Polarizing...be sure to use FORD method, not the Delco type which is for gens with a different grounding path! At least half of the people you ask will give you the wrong method!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256038&highlight=generator+polarizing&showall=1
 
And to repeat...most '40--61 Ford type generators have a ground post. USE IT!! Run a wire from there to base of regulator, supplement with wire from there to your ground cable. All resistance in your ground circuit is directly deducted from your generator output...Ford added the extra wire in about 1940 because grounding through mountings was inadequate.
 
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