The Ford Barn

Don · 12-04-2021, 08:30 PM

Friends 41 engine runs great after rebuild sitting on stand but can not get generator to charge !, Had generator checked out at a old shop,said ok,,, we put voltage to the field and had current flow,, we have a regulator with just two elements , do we need a 3 element regulator????? To make field energize??
Been fighting this thing for a couple weeks now!!!!!
Can’t find a whole lot of info in motor Manuel,, Tks Don

Anteek29 · 12-04-2021, 11:55 PM

My stock '41 with genny uses a three element regulator.

38 coupe · 12-05-2021, 12:17 AM

You need the proper three element regulator (6 or 12V to match the rest of the electrical system), then you need to polarize the generator. Hook up the armature and bat wires to the new regulator first, then momentarily touch the field wire to the bat terminal on the new regulator.

Bill OH · 12-05-2021, 05:52 AM

38Coupe: Is that a 38 Phaeton in your avatar? Yours?

38 coupe · 12-05-2021, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill OH

38Coupe: Is that a 38 Phaeton in your avatar? Yours?

Yes, and yes. Please feel free to PM me so we don't side track this thread.

koates · 12-05-2021, 10:48 PM

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Don, The generator field coils circuit has to match the field circuit of the regulator that is the fields are connected to the armature terminal via the regulator. There are other types that have a different circuit which wont work with a Ford. In 1939 Ford did bring out a two unit regulator when the two brush generator replaced the three brush generator. A bit later the three unit regulator became the production standard and you can buy a new one of those to match your generator. Is the two unit regulator you have a Ford one ? You just cant guess here. You have to have the correct regulator to match the generator. The Ford generators were positive battery terminal to ground originally. Regards, Kevin.

12-04-2021, 08:30 PM	#1
Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,159	Generator no charge Friends 41 engine runs great after rebuild sitting on stand but can not get generator to charge !, Had generator checked out at a old shop,said ok,,, we put voltage to the field and had current flow,, we have a regulator with just two elements , do we need a 3 element regulator????? To make field energize?? Been fighting this thing for a couple weeks now!!!!! Can’t find a whole lot of info in motor Manuel,, Tks Don __________________ DON P

12-04-2021, 11:55 PM	#2
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: Generator no charge My stock '41 with genny uses a three element regulator. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

12-05-2021, 12:17 AM	#3
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: Generator no charge You need the proper three element regulator (6 or 12V to match the rest of the electrical system), then you need to polarize the generator. Hook up the armature and bat wires to the new regulator first, then momentarily touch the field wire to the bat terminal on the new regulator.

12-05-2021, 05:52 AM	#4
Bill OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 425	Re: Generator no charge 38Coupe: Is that a 38 Phaeton in your avatar? Yours?

12-05-2021, 10:48 PM	#6
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,078	Re: Generator no charge Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Don, The generator field coils circuit has to match the field circuit of the regulator that is the fields are connected to the armature terminal via the regulator. There are other types that have a different circuit which wont work with a Ford. In 1939 Ford did bring out a two unit regulator when the two brush generator replaced the three brush generator. A bit later the three unit regulator became the production standard and you can buy a new one of those to match your generator. Is the two unit regulator you have a Ford one ? You just cant guess here. You have to have the correct regulator to match the generator. The Ford generators were positive battery terminal to ground originally. Regards, Kevin.