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Old 05-18-2020, 06:58 AM   #1
rockfla
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Default Charging opinions

I took the 39 Merc for a "good" run this weekend. Long stretches of 45 & 55 mph runs. On the return trip I went across a semi-rough set of railroad tracks and the Temp & Battery gauges went "dead". after a few miles they came back on line BUT now I think my generator is not charging. At first (and at start up now) the gauge shows to the "L" side pic #1. After it warms up a bit and you speed the Idle up it shows Pic #2.......also on the return trip home when the gauges came back on this is also the highest the gauge showed. BEFORE all of this the gauge would show IN the "N" section almost middle at start up and would sit at the left hand notch (just slightly higher than pic #2) of "N" once out driving. I checked the out put of the generator yesterday and at a elevated idle the "field" side of the Generator was putting out "mid" 2 volts and the back lug (guessing "ground") is putting out "mid" 4 volts? Thoughts....suggestions?
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Old 05-18-2020, 07:20 AM   #2
corvette8n
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Default Re: Charging opinions

Sounds like something was loose and maybe shorted, start under the dash and check all of your wiring, make sure you have good grounds as well.
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Old 05-18-2020, 07:31 AM   #3
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Charging opinions

First thing I would do is pull and clean the battery connections.
Then check actual battery voltage as it relates to the battery voltage/condition meter in the car.
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Old 05-18-2020, 07:44 AM   #4
rockfla
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Default Re: Charging opinions

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Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT View Post
First thing I would do is pull and clean the battery connections.
Then check actual battery voltage as it relates to the battery voltage/condition meter in the car.

I cleaned and lubed ALL the grounds & battery connections shortly after getting the car from my dad & made double sure of the cables as I removed the battery tray and cleaned and painted it when I replaced the head gaskets about a month or so ago!! The battery is measuring 6.18 volt!!!! I believe when I first got the battery it was 6.28 volts new!! It's 3 or so months old and lord know how long it was on the shelf before I bought it. It cranks the car wonderfully!!!
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Old 05-18-2020, 07:53 AM   #5
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: Charging opinions

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Originally Posted by rockfla View Post
I cleaned and lubed ALL the grounds & battery connections shortly after getting the car from my dad & made double sure of the cables as I removed the battery tray and cleaned and painted it when I replaced the head gaskets about a month or so ago!! The battery is measuring 6.18 volt!!!! I believe when I first got the battery it was 6.28 volts new!! It's 3 or so months old and lord know how long it was on the shelf before I bought it. It cranks the car wonderfully!!!
Then you should be getting the same voltage to the volt/condition meter and it should indicate 'N'.
Possibly bad gauge or faulty connection.
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Old 05-18-2020, 08:00 AM   #6
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Loose wire may be at the rear of the gauge panel. Wire harness appears to be very old! Check for loose wires on voltage regulator also. Suggest you disconnect battery before looking for loose wires. . .
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Old 05-18-2020, 08:21 AM   #7
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Default Re: Charging opinions

It looks like the wire on the side of the generator is almost broken off.....Mark
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Old 05-18-2020, 08:30 AM   #8
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Default Re: Charging opinions

I would at the least consider replacing the wiring from the generator to the voltage regulator. As a test you could make up a set of wires for this and disconnect the existing wires and try the new wiring, it is only a couple of wires.

Could also try a new wire from the starter solenoid to the circuit breaker solinoid. Then to the ignition switch and then the gauges, etc. These could be just temporary test wires with alligator clips to do the testing.

Last edited by JSeery; 05-18-2020 at 08:37 AM.
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Old 05-18-2020, 04:30 PM   #9
G.M.
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Default Re: Charging opinions

The 6 volt battery fully charged should be about 6.8 after sitting for
a while after being charged. There should be very little drop in voltage
over night. Best thing to have is a battery disconnect switch. This can
avoid a fire and keep the battery from draining. G.M.
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