QuestionQUESTION: The generator had a spell of charging for a while and then the ammeter would go to 0. Now it has stopped charging altogether. If I turn on the lights, the ammeter goes to negative. All this with the motor running. I have tested the gen for voltage output and get 6V. I have tested the device that is attached to the gen and get 6V. I have tested the wires that lead from the gen to the panel mounted on the firewall for continuity and find no breaks. Any suggestions? Thank you for any help.
ANSWER: The cut out that sits on top of the gen connects the output of the gen to the system when the gen output is high enough to pull in the contact within the cutout. You have to rev up the engine to make this happen. When the engine goes back to idle, the contact opens so that the system will not try to run the gen as a motor and run down your battery. The cutout frequently fails to open and you have to replace it. Disconnect the wiring from the gen and spin it up and measure the output. If it is 6 volts, your gen is OK. Then do the same thing and check the output from the cutout. If that has 6 volts, then your cutout is OK. After that, Take a test light with a pin at one end. Ground one end, and push the pin into the wiring on the way to the ammeter. You should do all this with the engine reved up.
I think you may be getting fooled by the battery output of 6 volts. With the engine running fast, disconnect the battery and see if the engine keeps running. I think it may die. Sounds like your gen is not putting out.
I'll help you find the trouble, but I recommend you install a 6 volt alternator. We all run the alternator and it keeps our batteries up with bright lights and there is no need for the troublesome cutout.
Try all that, and get back to me. Good luck. jack
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QUESTION: Jack.. Many thanks. Your counsel was right on. I tested the gen output with wires detached and got 0 V. I detached the battery and the engine died. This seems to confirm that the gen is dead. So I'm ordering a 6V alternator, tsking your advice. It seems to make sense, since I should get better output and can elimnate the cutout switch.
Keep up the good advice. Al
AnswerAl, be sure to order the mechanics handbook for model A's. The red book. About $35. We all have it and use it a lot. Also, go to blurb dot com and search for my name. I just wrote a book on the A called "get a horse". You can read the whole book on line under preview. No need to buy it. Jack
