[jboren]

Are you using an analog or digital meter to check the battery voltage. Generally use an analog VOM to check the voltage when you have a generator as the noise a generator creates can throw off a DVM.(unless it's a really good one?!) If you really are reading 16 volts then you are overcharging. Generally the max should ideally be about 14.5 to 14.7. Anything over 15 and you are going to have trouble eventually. Vibrating points regulators can be adjusted by bending the stops (very small adjustments as in just a few thousands of an inch) but they usually have to be replaced once they start giving trouble. I don't remember which of the three coils in the regulator is the voltage regulator. One is the cutout, one if the current regulator which should be adjusted to the maximum safe current output the generator can handle without overheating and the third should set the maximum voltage that the generator will put out. With the cover off you should be able to figure out easily which one is the cutout as it will be open with everything shut off but it will close once you start the engine and the generator starts generating. I believe the current regulator coil will be the one with the large varnished coil of wire and the voltage regulator coil will have the smaller windings. I believe if you gently open up the stop you should see the voltage come down but beware it takes a lot of patience and practice to get it right.