The Ford Barn

JOHN CT · 08-23-2016, 12:23 PM

My 6 volt generator is over charging. When driving its running between 8 to 10 amps. I've tried adjusting the 3 brush with no luck, with 2 different analog gauges. l drive with my lights on and the amps drops to about 2 amps. I can increase the amps. But not lower.

I've owned this T just for a couple months, and its been doing this since I brought it home.
So how can I repair this problem??

J Franklin · 08-23-2016, 12:33 PM

I would think 8-10 amps is about right. It probably is good to run with the lights anyway. Just keep a check on the battery water. I lose about 18 amps with my light bulbs.

stevests · 08-24-2016, 12:56 PM

Seems the null point (neutral) is not set correctly - amps would decrease positioning 3rd brush holder against rotation - increase w/rotation. Normal setting w/o lights on should be 4-6 amperes.

JOHN CT · 08-25-2016, 07:56 AM

Seems the null point (neutral) is not set correctly I dont understand? How do I set the neutral in the generator?

stevests · 08-25-2016, 08:03 PM

With the gen. on the bench, lift the 3rd brush up out of the holder, slightly loosen the 4 small screws at the rear holding the brush holder, power up the generator and looking at the gear from the front end the gear should hold still or just slightly try to turn CW - adjust one way or the other to get neutral or as close to it - retighten the 4 screws, drop the 3rd brush down & test it to motor - set the amperage.

Mike V. Florida · 08-26-2016, 01:42 AM

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What is your battery voltage?

JOHN CT · 08-26-2016, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

What is your battery voltage?

8 volt battery

big job · 08-26-2016, 06:03 AM

8-10 is far from overcharging, I mean If the amp meter is pegged, thats another story.
It has been long said that when you start the vehicle it takes about 5miles of driving
to put back the charge from starting. Then most lawnmowers charge more than that.
My thinking is cutting back from 10amp then most likely you will be discharging with
the lights on-thats not good. Don't know if this is true but there is talk about 8vt
batterys playing mind games with the field windings I don't know but wouldnt be
surprised. Mine is 6vts starts like a champ and charges 10amps and with lights on
maybe 2 or3 amps thats what I want.. I say run it.......sam

Royce P · 08-26-2016, 09:29 AM

There's the problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHN CT

8 volt battery

JOHN CT · 08-26-2016, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royce P

There's the problem.

8 volts isn't good?
I just bought this T and I had to replace the battery. Their was a 8 volt battery in it already. I was told to leave it 8 volt for better starting in cold weather.
But now I here pros and cons about 8 Volts

JEC · 08-26-2016, 01:31 PM

If you have the right size cables and good connections a 6 volt battery will spin in over with no problem;
I have a 6 volt Optima in my 25 pickup with a Z head.
AT first it would barely turn the engine over. I cleaned the frame connection and added star washers on all of the connections and it really spins the motor.
When I was young, in the 1950's, 8 volt battery's were used to overcome bad wiring.

Bruce Compton, Canada · 08-26-2016, 09:57 PM

John : Install a good 6 volt battery(Optima is the best), and get a true voltage regulator, not a cut-out, from one of the Model T suppliers. These regulators look identical to the original cut-outs and perform amazingly well with no more concerns about over or under charging. Follow the instructions included with the regulator and you will be a happy camper. Bruce

08-23-2016, 12:23 PM	#1
JOHN CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: In my garage Posts: 465	Over charging My 6 volt generator is over charging. When driving its running between 8 to 10 amps. I've tried adjusting the 3 brush with no luck, with 2 different analog gauges. l drive with my lights on and the amps drops to about 2 amps. I can increase the amps. But not lower. I've owned this T just for a couple months, and its been doing this since I brought it home. So how can I repair this problem?? __________________ 31 Tudor 66 Bonneville 57 Chevy pickup 27 T roadster pick up

08-23-2016, 12:33 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Over charging I would think 8-10 amps is about right. It probably is good to run with the lights anyway. Just keep a check on the battery water. I lose about 18 amps with my light bulbs.

08-24-2016, 12:56 PM	#3
stevests Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Longbranch, Washington Posts: 513	Re: Over charging Seems the null point (neutral) is not set correctly - amps would decrease positioning 3rd brush holder against rotation - increase w/rotation. Normal setting w/o lights on should be 4-6 amperes.

08-25-2016, 07:56 AM	#4
JOHN CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: In my garage Posts: 465	Re: Over charging Seems the null point (neutral) is not set correctly I dont understand? How do I set the neutral in the generator? __________________ 31 Tudor 66 Bonneville 57 Chevy pickup 27 T roadster pick up

08-25-2016, 08:03 PM	#5
stevests Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Longbranch, Washington Posts: 513	Re: Over charging With the gen. on the bench, lift the 3rd brush up out of the holder, slightly loosen the 4 small screws at the rear holding the brush holder, power up the generator and looking at the gear from the front end the gear should hold still or just slightly try to turn CW - adjust one way or the other to get neutral or as close to it - retighten the 4 screws, drop the 3rd brush down & test it to motor - set the amperage.

08-26-2016, 01:42 AM	#6
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Over charging Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) What is your battery voltage? __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

08-26-2016, 06:03 AM	#8
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: Over charging 8-10 is far from overcharging, I mean If the amp meter is pegged, thats another story. It has been long said that when you start the vehicle it takes about 5miles of driving to put back the charge from starting. Then most lawnmowers charge more than that. My thinking is cutting back from 10amp then most likely you will be discharging with the lights on-thats not good. Don't know if this is true but there is talk about 8vt batterys playing mind games with the field windings I don't know but wouldnt be surprised. Mine is 6vts starts like a champ and charges 10amps and with lights on maybe 2 or3 amps thats what I want.. I say run it.......sam

08-26-2016, 01:31 PM	#11
JEC Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 41	Re: Over charging If you have the right size cables and good connections a 6 volt battery will spin in over with no problem; I have a 6 volt Optima in my 25 pickup with a Z head. AT first it would barely turn the engine over. I cleaned the frame connection and added star washers on all of the connections and it really spins the motor. When I was young, in the 1950's, 8 volt battery's were used to overcome bad wiring.

08-26-2016, 09:57 PM	#12
Bruce Compton, Canada Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 416	Re: Over charging John : Install a good 6 volt battery(Optima is the best), and get a true voltage regulator, not a cut-out, from one of the Model T suppliers. These regulators look identical to the original cut-outs and perform amazingly well with no more concerns about over or under charging. Follow the instructions included with the regulator and you will be a happy camper. Bruce