04-20-2014, 01:37 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Point, VA 23181
Posts: 373
|
Charging rate
Happy Easter!!
I added an amp to my charge rate today, because it was easier than mounting 6.50-20's. At a brisk idle it charges just under 10. With the high beams on it's right at zero. Over half-throttle the charge rate drops off; is this normal? I tightened the belt and cleaned the commutator--no difference. R/ Roger. |
04-20-2014, 02:22 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: Charging rate
It sounds normal, but I wouldn't run a 10 amp charge or you will be adding a lot of water to the battery and shorten it's life.
If I didn't use my EVR then I'd set my charge to about 2 amps. |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
04-20-2014, 04:11 PM | #3 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2012
Location: inside your RAM
Posts: 3,134
|
Re: Charging rate
a lot of Aers don't use their cars at night.
As Tom says with car running daytime (electrical load is ignition) 2 is super. If you run at night and need headlites, we at that time move the brush to get more amps and then move the brush back at the end of the run. 10 all the time will spell trouble as he says
__________________
'31 180A |
04-20-2014, 07:09 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 1,656
|
Re: Charging rate
Or, just drive with your lights on all the time.
|
04-22-2014, 11:58 AM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Orange, CA
Posts: 43
|
Re: Charging rate
Can someone add a little more explanation to this? Are you talking about a system with an alternator? How do you adjust the output as you've described?
Thanks! |
04-22-2014, 12:30 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 238
|
Re: Charging rate
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
But yes, I agree , 10 is too much
__________________
1931 Slant Windshield fordor |
04-22-2014, 09:52 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,025
|
Re: Charging rate
I bought the voltage regulator from Macs that looks like an original cutout. No need to adjust the 3rd brush any more. Night or day. Charges the battery at maybe 6-8 amps for a few minutes when first started, then makes its way down to just blipping the needle. (blipping is a technical term...)
|
04-23-2014, 06:42 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Point, VA 23181
Posts: 373
|
Re: Charging rate
Eagle:
What's the process; set the third-brush-charge rate up high and then install the 'regulated cut-out'? Tom: So it's OK for the charge rate to drop off above a certain RPM? This is an AA, so the rate begins to drop off before I hit 40 mph. R/ Roger. |
04-23-2014, 07:42 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,025
|
Re: Charging rate
Adjust the generator 3rd leg output to the max you feel comfortable with, I set mine at 16 amps, then install the regulator. Done, no more mess'n around with a flashlight after dark trying to adjust the output. Tom W makes an internal regulator you can install into the generator as well.
|
04-23-2014, 07:56 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: Charging rate
40 MPH in a double A is fairly high engine RPM. A generator has a point of maximum output, and at higher RPM the output will fall off slightly, but it shouldn't be much. You might have weak brush springs or a poor commutator if you notice the output falling off. I've also seen poor connections, such as where the field windings wire is twisted and soldered to join the two fields. I've seen a couple with no solder, or a loose solder joint.
|
04-23-2014, 07:57 AM | #11 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
|
Re: Charging rate
Quote:
Tom will probably answer this also. I'm not him, but, no, the rate should not fall like that. The brushes may be bouncing due to the commutator being out of round or the springs may be getting weak. A 'AA' can go 40mph ? |
|
04-23-2014, 08:03 AM | #12 |
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wethersfield, CT
Posts: 22
|
Re: Charging rate
The amp output on my generator is very low - about 1 amp. Moving the 3rd brush doesn't seem to have any effect. Is this because I might have an aftermarket voltage regulator built inside the cutout? Can I run a jumper around the cutout to see if the amperage increases?
If I turn on lights with the motor stopped the amp meter reads heavy negative so I think the amp meter is fairly accurate. |
04-23-2014, 08:14 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,594
|
Re: Charging rate
Do not jumper the regulator or "Flash" it ...
If it is made by Fun Projects Inc. this will destroy the regulator. Fun Projects makes regulators installed inside the cutout. http://www.funprojects.com/pdf/10505R6.PDF Last edited by Benson; 04-23-2014 at 08:20 AM. |
04-23-2014, 08:17 AM | #14 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: Charging rate
Quote:
Don't guess at which EVR you have. You might have to remove the band and see if the adjustable brush is in place, or an EVR is in it's place. BTW, with a good generator and an EVR, my ammeter doesn't go negative when I have the lights on and the engine is at idle. |
|
04-23-2014, 10:02 AM | #15 |
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wethersfield, CT
Posts: 22
|
Re: Charging rate
Tom,
I am running standard light bulbs (6V). I do not have the internal EVR as the 3rd brush is installed. I do not know if I have a regulator inside the cutout. I just started the car and when I go from idle to high speed the amp meter moves up to +1-2 amps. returning to idle the needle drops to zero. With the headlights on at high speed the amp meter runs at -8 amps. I have measure the voltage in the past and it will go from about 6.4 volts (not running) to about 7.1 volts running. Should I try an eliminate the cut out from the circut all together just to test the generator ? |
04-23-2014, 11:19 AM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: Charging rate
Yes, just remove the cutout and either install another cutout, or just jump the wires to the generator post. Just don't leave them connected for more than a minute unless the car is running, and don't run the generator without the battery connected to it.
So, you could just jumper to the post, then start the engine right away and check the ammeter at idle and higher RPM. Check it with the lights off, and then on. |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|