861 Electrical system over voltage

[jeffrey.brotherton]

I'm trying to help a neighbor with a 6 volt positive ground 861 that's having electrical problems. first was not charging, was running undervoltage. Replaced voltage regulator and was over charging. Got a new voltage regulator a is still over charging. Electrical system is running 8.5 - 9 volts at 1200-1500 rpm.

Generator puts out about 10 volts at 1500 rpm.

is there anything that I'm missing? The voltage regulator should limit the line voltage to a little over 7 volts regardless of a higher generator output, correct. Is there anything that couold be causing thes over voltage other than voltage regulator?

 

[Felix Donnelly]

Make sure you get a high quality voltage regulator, I suggest from Napa. I had the same problem with two regulators that I had ordered on-line, it overcharged so much blew my front headlights on the 801. I try to order all my electrical components from Napa instead of wasting time installing junk 2 or 3 times over.

 

[sunbeam]

Take the field wire off the regulator and see if it still charges.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 20:05:01 10/24/15) I'm trying to help a neighbor with a 6 volt positive ground 861 that's having electrical problems. first was not charging, was running undervoltage. Replaced voltage regulator and was over charging. Got a new voltage regulator a is still over charging. Electrical system is running 8.5 - 9 volts at 1200-1500 rpm.

Generator puts out about 10 volts at 1500 rpm.

is there anything that I'm missing? The voltage regulator should limit the line voltage to a little over 7 volts regardless of a higher generator output, correct. Is there anything that couold be causing thes over voltage other than voltage regulator?

erify good generator to VR base ground wire.

 

[jeffkoh]

I had the same problem with my NAA. It's hard to find a regulator that is not made in India,they are all pretty much garbage. There is a set of
points inside the regulator, you will need to adjust those points to get it to cut out and not over charge. I grew tired of messing with the 6 volt
and converted it to 12 v.

 

[pinball]

I have two 960 fords. Put new 12 volt alternators on both of them with 6 volt resistor going to the point. Works extremely well. A lot more durable than the six volt system. alternator here is 50 bucks. The 60-80 dollar battery will last a lot longer than the 6 volt and with the price of batterys it will save you money in the long run. If you want to keep it close to original then use what you have but buy an 8 volt battery. When I start my car I watch the voltage on the digital meter. It starts out at 14 then slowly drops down the 12.50 as the battery charges up. Depending on how low the battery is and how much juice it is using. it may take several minutes. Not really convince you have a problem. I would run it for several minutes and see what your meter reads to see if it come down. Just my opinion. Good luck Norm

 

[David G]

I would want to see it above 7.5 volts.

The regulator works by energizing the fields when it is below voltage and deenergizing the fields when it is above. The pulsing of this is averaged out by the battery to provide a constant voltage. The points should have come adjusted correctly, but in case they do not, you will need to adjust them.

 

[john in la]

Could it be possible that you got a 12 volt regulator by mistake?

 

[jeffrey.brotherton]

(quoted from post at 06:43:07 10/25/15) I have two 960 fords. Put new 12 volt alternators on both of them with 6 volt resistor going to the point. Works extremely well. A lot more durable than the six volt system. alternator here is 50 bucks. The 60-80 dollar battery will last a lot longer than the 6 volt and with the price of batterys it will save you money in the long run. If you want to keep it close to original then use what you have but buy an 8 volt battery. When I start my car I watch the voltage on the digital meter. It starts out at 14 then slowly drops down the 12.50 as the battery charges up. Depending on how low the battery is and how much juice it is using. it may take several minutes. Not really convince you have a problem. I would run it for several minutes and see what your meter reads to see if it come down. Just my opinion. Good luck Norm

it runs over voltage for hours. He boiled the battery from overcharging.

 

[jeffrey.brotherton]

how do you adjust the regulator points?

 

[David G]

you will need to take the cover off the regulator, some have an adjusting screw, some you have to bend the tab.

Where did you get the regulators from?

I get that stuff from NAPA, can take it back if an issue.

 

[souNdguy]

deffinately check the ground ref for the vreg and genny as Jmor says. Resistance ( voltage drop ) from vreg to ground will float the charge voltage.

Past that.. yeah.. bad vreg. .. or at least poor adjustment.

If removing the field wire stops charge, and it is non returnable.. might as well do surgery.

 

[sotxbill]

Bingo....