The Ford Barn

George G · 05-31-2010, 12:18 AM

Switched out an alternator for a 12 volt generator. Alternator was putting out say 13 volts. Now the generator puts out only 12 volts. What voltage should I expect with a 12 volt ford generator? 12 even or a little more?

I have a voltmeter.

ford1 · 05-31-2010, 12:37 AM

the generator should put out 13 to 14 volts, if it doesnt it will never charge the battery, you can adjust the regulator to put out more volts

Ole Don · 05-31-2010, 07:39 AM

My volt meter says 16 all the time. The guy who built it for me says the regulator takes care of things. Is your generator in good shape?

George G · 05-31-2010, 12:34 PM

I took an 6 volt 8BA generator and a 12 volt case to make a 12 volt gen for my flathead. New brushes, tried 2 armatures (checked okay on the growler), New solid state volkswagen regulator (rated at 30 amps just like the gen.)

So that leaves the case - field coils or the regulator suspect. Right?

Will re polarize tonite.

ford1 · 05-31-2010, 02:04 PM

start engine pull ground cable, if engine keeps running the generator is ok, if it dies the regulator is bad

George G · 05-31-2010, 03:55 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ford1

start engine pull ground cable, if engine keeps running the generator is ok, if it dies the regulator is bad

Ground cable from the battery?

ford1 · 05-31-2010, 04:12 PM

yes just run it that way to find out which is not working then turn off engine

ford1 · 05-31-2010, 04:23 PM

george, i worded my reply wrong, what i should have said is when you pull the batt groung cable and the engine keeps running the gen is ok if the engine dies the gen is bad, if you reconnect the bat cable and the battery doesnt show a charge then the regulator is bad sorry for the confusion

George G · 05-31-2010, 10:13 PM

Well I pulled the battery ground cable and sure enough the motor quit.
Then I remembered I have an electric fuel pump. Doh!

I should be able to take my volt meter and get a reading from the big terminal (Armature) and the ground terminal on the Gen. Right?

I realize the voltmeter on the dash is giving me the voltage in the battery.

parklane · 06-01-2010, 08:47 PM

Well, I think it's the generator, cuz even with a electric pump, there's enough fuel in the carb for it to run for several seconds.

George/Maine · 06-03-2010, 09:47 AM

Can you put a wide pulley on a 12 volt gen and use a ford reg.
When car is not running should read around 12 volts.When running should go to about 13.8 volts.

dga1028 · 06-06-2010, 09:17 AM

Suggest everyone read testing proceedure and specification which is the same for all 12 Volt systems and if working with a six volt system only needs to be halved.

1 Engine off check voltage and record
2 Engine running, headlights high blower also high should increase at least 1.5 Volts
3. Engine running, no appreciable electrical load less than 15.3 V

Simple spot check if not problem solving-13.5/15.3

05-31-2010, 12:18 AM	#1
George G Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stony Plain Alberta Posts: 96	12 volt generator output. Switched out an alternator for a 12 volt generator. Alternator was putting out say 13 volts. Now the generator puts out only 12 volts. What voltage should I expect with a 12 volt ford generator? 12 even or a little more? I have a voltmeter.

05-31-2010, 12:37 AM	#2
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: 12 volt generator output. the generator should put out 13 to 14 volts, if it doesnt it will never charge the battery, you can adjust the regulator to put out more volts

05-31-2010, 07:39 AM	#3
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: 12 volt generator output. My volt meter says 16 all the time. The guy who built it for me says the regulator takes care of things. Is your generator in good shape?

05-31-2010, 12:34 PM	#4
George G Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stony Plain Alberta Posts: 96	Re: 12 volt generator output. I took an 6 volt 8BA generator and a 12 volt case to make a 12 volt gen for my flathead. New brushes, tried 2 armatures (checked okay on the growler), New solid state volkswagen regulator (rated at 30 amps just like the gen.) So that leaves the case - field coils or the regulator suspect. Right? Will re polarize tonite.

05-31-2010, 02:04 PM	#5
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: 12 volt generator output. start engine pull ground cable, if engine keeps running the generator is ok, if it dies the regulator is bad

05-31-2010, 04:12 PM	#7
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: 12 volt generator output. yes just run it that way to find out which is not working then turn off engine

05-31-2010, 04:23 PM	#8
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	Re: 12 volt generator output. george, i worded my reply wrong, what i should have said is when you pull the batt groung cable and the engine keeps running the gen is ok if the engine dies the gen is bad, if you reconnect the bat cable and the battery doesnt show a charge then the regulator is bad sorry for the confusion

05-31-2010, 10:13 PM	#9
George G Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stony Plain Alberta Posts: 96	Re: 12 volt generator output. Well I pulled the battery ground cable and sure enough the motor quit. Then I remembered I have an electric fuel pump. Doh! I should be able to take my volt meter and get a reading from the big terminal (Armature) and the ground terminal on the Gen. Right? I realize the voltmeter on the dash is giving me the voltage in the battery.

06-01-2010, 08:47 PM	#10
parklane Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St.Thomas, ON Canada Posts: 598	Re: 12 volt generator output. Well, I think it's the generator, cuz even with a electric pump, there's enough fuel in the carb for it to run for several seconds.

06-03-2010, 09:47 AM	#11
George/Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mid coast Maine Posts: 1,878	Re: 12 volt generator output. Can you put a wide pulley on a 12 volt gen and use a ford reg. When car is not running should read around 12 volts.When running should go to about 13.8 volts.

06-06-2010, 09:17 AM	#12
dga1028 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 14	Re: 12 volt generator output. Suggest everyone read testing proceedure and specification which is the same for all 12 Volt systems and if working with a six volt system only needs to be halved. 1 Engine off check voltage and record 2 Engine running, headlights high blower also high should increase at least 1.5 Volts 3. Engine running, no appreciable electrical load less than 15.3 V Simple spot check if not problem solving-13.5/15.3