The Ford Barn

rscardina · 04-02-2015, 08:44 AM

I recently installed a voltage regulator on my generator (the one that replaces the cutout). My battery discharged on my last outing. I charged the battery, cleaned the connections of a little corrosion (maybe the reason for the discharge), checked the voltage and everything seemed normal. I got a steady voltage of 6.2. After I started the engine I checked the voltage to determine if it was charging properly. I got very erratic readings on my voltmeter. The ammeter seemed normal. I was getting readings all over the place. At idle it seemed to jump from 7 to 11 volts and all over in between and occasionally outside that range. when I increased the throttle it would jump as high as 16 volts. However, it was very erratic and jumping all over the place. Any ideas? By the way, this is a 6 volt positive ground system.

Farrell In Vancouver · 04-02-2015, 08:55 AM

If you were using a digital Volt/Ohm meter it may have been affected by the electrical noise of the Model A. Try and analog meter and check again.

rscardina · 04-02-2015, 01:52 PM

I will give it a try.

jmeckel · 04-02-2015, 05:47 PM

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If you want to use a digital meter (DVM) I recommend a FLUKE or comparable quality. Make sure you have a good, clean connection / electrical path from the mount of the generator to the engine, as this is the other 1/2 of the electrical path that is needed. Also make sure you have a good connection between the engine and the frame ground location that the battery connects to. Remember your starter draws high current that may work through a poorer connection than a low current charging circuit can take.

04-02-2015, 08:44 AM	#1
rscardina Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Livingston, Louisiana Posts: 188	Erratic charging rate I recently installed a voltage regulator on my generator (the one that replaces the cutout). My battery discharged on my last outing. I charged the battery, cleaned the connections of a little corrosion (maybe the reason for the discharge), checked the voltage and everything seemed normal. I got a steady voltage of 6.2. After I started the engine I checked the voltage to determine if it was charging properly. I got very erratic readings on my voltmeter. The ammeter seemed normal. I was getting readings all over the place. At idle it seemed to jump from 7 to 11 volts and all over in between and occasionally outside that range. when I increased the throttle it would jump as high as 16 volts. However, it was very erratic and jumping all over the place. Any ideas? By the way, this is a 6 volt positive ground system. __________________ *Ryan Scardina* *Livingston, Louisiana* *1930 LSU Model A*

04-02-2015, 08:55 AM	#2
Farrell In Vancouver Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pitt Meadows BC Posts: 1,003	Re: Erratic charging rate If you were using a digital Volt/Ohm meter it may have been affected by the electrical noise of the Model A. Try and analog meter and check again.

04-02-2015, 01:52 PM	#3
rscardina Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Livingston, Louisiana Posts: 188	Re: Erratic charging rate I will give it a try. __________________ *Ryan Scardina* *Livingston, Louisiana* *1930 LSU Model A*

04-02-2015, 05:47 PM	#4
jmeckel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Luck WI Posts: 550	Re: Erratic charging rate Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you want to use a digital meter (DVM) I recommend a FLUKE or comparable quality. Make sure you have a good, clean connection / electrical path from the mount of the generator to the engine, as this is the other 1/2 of the electrical path that is needed. Also make sure you have a good connection between the engine and the frame ground location that the battery connects to. Remember your starter draws high current that may work through a poorer connection than a low current charging circuit can take. __________________ Jon "If you choose to not decide, you still have made a choice!" RUSH Don't tell me what you know..... Tell me what you have done.