relay wire

[fiftychev]

I just got my uncles 1930 ford coupe that he bought brand new. He did a restoration (sort of) in the 90's.

None of the lights work. I got the switch working but the question I have is about the wire that comes from the terminal box to the relay on the generator and the wire the comes from the lighting harness to the relay. Les Andrews manual shows all wires connected to the front. Mine is wired so the terminal wire goes to the back and the harness wire to the front.
Should those wires be on the same terminal? What does the relay do? Is it for the horn?

 

[Goldhardt]

Yes, those wires should all be on the front if everything else is wired as original.

The relay, commonly known as the cut out is not for the horn. As the generator speed is increased, the generator puts out more voltage. When it reaches a point where it is putting out more voltage than the battery, the points in the relay close and the generator becomes the source for all of the electric current in the car instead of the battery. It also charges the battery while the points are closed.

I'm sure that a few others with more knowledge than me will chime in and explain it better.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Early generators had the output terminal towards the front of the case, so the cutout output terminal would then face the rear. Either way, the L bracket on the cutout goes to the generator output terminal, and no other wires go to it. The horn/lights terminal and the junction box wire both connect to the other side of the cutout. The side of the cutout with the wires uses a thicker insulation washer than the L bracket side.

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Yes, those wires should all be on the front if everything else is wired as original.

The relay, commonly known as the cut out is not for the horn. As the generator speed is increased, the generator puts out more voltage. When it reaches a point where it is putting out more voltage than the battery, the points in the relay close and the generator becomes the source for all of the electric current in the car instead of the battery. It also charges the battery while the points are closed.

I'm sure that a few others with more knowledge than me will chime in and explain it better.

It also keeps the generator from running like a motor when the car is turned off.

 

[fiftychev]

Thanks Guys

Looks like there is a terminal on both ends. I'll take the cut out off and see which one is NOT connected to the generator and hook up the horn,terminal and light withers there.

 

[Bob C]

Here is a picture I think Tom posted. On this generator with the stud on
the rear the two wires go to the front of the cut out.

Bob