How to tell if the genreator is "genning"

[Rich Largent]

Nuts and bolts I can do but electrics is not my strong suit. When my engine is running the ammeter shows only discharge indications when you turn on lights or step on the brakes. I just bought the car and was told a rebuilt generator had just been installed. How do I test the generator to see if it is indeed workng? Increasing engine rpm does not show anything different on the ammeter. Fan belt is tight.

Rich Largent

[J Franklin]

First does the ammeter work? if it shows discharge when the lights are on it most likely does. I would manually close the cut out points and see if there is a charge while running, if so then the cut out is not working.

[FL&WVMIKE]

Rich Largent ...................
Old Joke ....
The generator is genning,
The distributor is distributing,
The starter is starting.. and,
The pistons are.... well, they are working too !
... GROAN ! ...
MIKE

[Tom Wesenberg]

Did you polarize the generator?

With the battery connected + ground, take a short wire and touch the 2 terminals together on the cutout. You should see a small spark as you polarize and it only takes a second to do. Let us know if this helps.

[cardoza]

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quick test: set engine rpm above normal idle, disconnect one terminal of the battery, if car continues to run then gen is OK...