Charging Problem

[Johnnykick]

Cannot seem to post text, so I attached a message.

 

[Janicholson]

Today most people have a digital volt meter. They are only going to read well and true if they are expensive. Old equipment has very noisy
electrical components. They make sparks internally and produce voltage that is good enough to charge a battery, it is far from stable. Modest
and cheap meters read instantaneous voltage from a sample taken multiple times per second. They try to display that voltage and as a result are
so variable that they are useless. A old fashioned moving needle type meter (even less expensive ones) work very well as they average the
voltage and display this result. So before convincing your self it is not charging, use a needle type meter. The discharge situation,
especially when idling down, or running slow may be sticking cutout points in the regulator. They are the heavier current points and could be
polished a bit with emery and cleaned with electrical contact spray to clean as a try. If they stick when it is shut off, the generator may burn
up. So be ready to take the battery terminal off if it sticks in discharge mode. Jim

 

[Rich'sToys]

I suspect the reason you could not post was that your text contains the name of a certain medical affliction currently going around. That word is forbidden on this site. Since you stated that you haven't been on here for a while, you probably missed it when that rule was put in place. The software automatically kicks out any post with that word in it.
Just so you know.

 

[Johnnykick]

Found part of the problem. My new neighbor who is a CAT mechanic suggested I check the ground. The connection was nasty rusted. At least now the D/C volt meter is no longer erratic; simply shows a steady discharge. A better digital meter that I have shows 6.2 when running; at least it's steady. I'll find a needle meter and examine the regulator. Thanks.

 

[Johnnykick]

I did use 2 words, the C word and the P word to explain context. Thanks for the tip.

 

[riverbend]

I have had the longest service life from Brillman Companies voltage regulators. They are not giving them away but the premium ones last like original equipment. I have not tried their standard quality but suspect they are somewhat better than the usual junk. Since you are selling it ...
https://brillman.com/?s=voltage+regulator&post_type=product

 

[Johnnykick]

Examined the points and cleaned one set as directed. The other set look factory clean. Reinstalled and checked with a needle volt meter; no output. So, I suppose a replacement is my next step.

 

[Janicholson]

With it running at near 1/2 throttle, , use a jumper wire to connect the F terminal on the generator to ground (wont hurt a thing) if it now
charges, a lot, the generator is good. The link should take you to a comprehensive check list. Jim
John T charging system repair.

 

[Johnnykick]

I need to remember Ground does not equal negative. Anyway, the needle did not move through any rpm.

 

[Johnnykick]

I performed some of those checks listed in the attachment and the results were mixed. So I moved to the motor test and it runs good, but when I removed the Fields ground, the motor dies.

 

[Johnnykick]

Ok. I'm back at it. I confirmed the generator is good. Both motor and field tests checked out. At step 6 in the checklist, I ran a jumper from Bat to Gen and I got a charge on my ammeter but not at the battery which I thought odd. I ordered a premium VR from Brillman but they were out of stock, so I got a standard quality instead. I installed it and still no charge. Ran the jumper again and I get a charge on the ammeter.