Org, Gen Charging 12 volt batteries?

chopo

Senior Member
How is this possible to use your stock gen to charge a 12 volt batttey. heard some 9n guys talking about this?
 
The generator is regulated by the battery voltage,just the amps are adjusted by the third brush.If you unhook the battery while running the generator output will run up to 40 volts or so.The A will really backfire and jump around when 30-40 volts are going to the coil.That was probably one of the first mechanical things I learned about the A when I was a kid.I knew of lots of A's that the owners just threw a 12 volt battery in,added a resistor to the coil,and drove around.I've heard tales they can throw the solder doing that,but I've never seen it happen from the switch to 12 volt.
 
Hmm, you can get away with it but it reminds me of a question I asked the mechanic I worked for as a kid, is down shifting a good way to slow down a car?
He replied, well hippie helper what cost less, brakes or a transmission?
Being poor and cheap he spoiled all my fun...<grin>
 
I had a 36 pickup that I converted to 12 volt and also had a shop convert the stock gen. to 12 volt. It worked just fine. My buddy converted his 40 pickup to 12 and never did anything to his stock gen. and it worked just fine. I spent 150.00 on the conversion, he paid nothing.
 
I've done it with flatheads and Y block fords (54-55) Ieven did it with a 1951 Massey Harris 30 tractor. I suppose that most generators will charge whatever battery that it is connected to. Six volt starters have several times more power and turn faster on 12 volt. The engine starts quicker and the starter doesn't have to turn very much to crank the engine.
 
I have had original early gen on my 33 roadster for over 30 years. The only problem has been cut outs. I never had a N.O.S. one. My advice is to set 3rd brush to 10-12 amps.
 
Try the Fun Projects can style voltage regulator, it takes the place of the cutout . Set the third brush for a maximum charge of 8 to 10 amps and you won't have to set the third brush again or worry about points sticking in the cut out. www. fun projects .com
 
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