The Ford Barn

Joe Shell · 06-25-2014, 10:24 PM

A few days ago a couple of local Ford guys went on short cruise. A friend had his fully restored 1935 Cabriolet which started and ran fine when he left his garage. We parked at our destination, and about a half hour later, we decided to move the old Fords to a more secure location within the parking lot. The 35 would not start due to a run down battery. We left it where it was, and about a hour and a half later, the car started and made it home about 5 miles away. The amp meter was reading zero at any rpm.

When this car is in the garage it is hooked up to a battery minder. The owner thinks the amp meter has been showing zero for several weeks. Seems like the generator has no output and and when the battery is strong enough, the car will start but is running off the battery.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to isolate the problem?

The car was converted to 12V and is running a generator with voltage regulator. We have an old RAC meter that can read amps, volts, RPM, dwell, etc.

What procedure should we follow to determine if the problem is the generator, the regulator, or both. Battery is relatively new and believed to be good.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Joe

ford3 · 06-25-2014, 11:30 PM

pull the ground battery cable while car is running, if engine dies the generator is bad, if it keeps running the generator is good and the reg is probably at fault, not letting the gen charge the battery

Joe Shell · 06-29-2014, 05:04 AM

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Thanks ford3. Disconnected battery and engine stopped. Generator and voltage regulator were taken to auto electric shop.

06-25-2014, 10:24 PM	#1
Joe Shell Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 72	No output from charging system in 1935 ford A few days ago a couple of local Ford guys went on short cruise. A friend had his fully restored 1935 Cabriolet which started and ran fine when he left his garage. We parked at our destination, and about a half hour later, we decided to move the old Fords to a more secure location within the parking lot. The 35 would not start due to a run down battery. We left it where it was, and about a hour and a half later, the car started and made it home about 5 miles away. The amp meter was reading zero at any rpm. When this car is in the garage it is hooked up to a battery minder. The owner thinks the amp meter has been showing zero for several weeks. Seems like the generator has no output and and when the battery is strong enough, the car will start but is running off the battery. Anyone have any suggestions on how to isolate the problem? The car was converted to 12V and is running a generator with voltage regulator. We have an old RAC meter that can read amps, volts, RPM, dwell, etc. What procedure should we follow to determine if the problem is the generator, the regulator, or both. Battery is relatively new and believed to be good. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks, Joe

06-25-2014, 11:30 PM	#2
ford3 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: oroville calif. Posts: 1,453	Re: No output from charging system in 1935 ford pull the ground battery cable while car is running, if engine dies the generator is bad, if it keeps running the generator is good and the reg is probably at fault, not letting the gen charge the battery

06-29-2014, 05:04 AM	#3
Joe Shell Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 72	Re: No output from charging system in 1935 ford Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks ford3. Disconnected battery and engine stopped. Generator and voltage regulator were taken to auto electric shop.