QuestionQUESTION: jack -
long story short, had a discharging ammeter, even when running. replaced generator, and now when driving i get +20 amps. adjusted brushes....no change. come to a stop, ammeter goes to +10. sound horn goes to 0 and then when stop sounding horm ammeter gradually goes to +20. i have just discovered that i have no rear lights, either driving nor brake. light bulbs are good. brake light switch seems to be connected properly, though one screw on the side will not tighten all the way, though it seems connected. appreciate any guidance for the lights and the high charging generator. thanks joe
ANSWER: We are all running 6 volt alternators and we are having no problem with them. When you get the chance, get one. If you want to keep the gen. then remove the light switch so the lams are out of the system. Adjust the gen to give you 10 amps at high rpm. Once you get that set, then forget about the gen. I would look for a short. Better find it before you burn up the car. Take an ohm meter and check each lamp and switch. The brake light switch is very simple. Not much in there if you take it apart. The horn is just a small motor, so that should not draw much current. Lay under the car and look for pinched wires.
With an alternator, the voltage reg. is built in and there is no cutout. Just spin it and it starts charging.
On of our members had a small short in his headlamps. He found it somehow. If you are running a fuse mounted on the starter switch, that should tell you if you are drawing too much current.
Sorry I can't help more, but just keep at it and you will find the problem. If you have too, disconnect all the lamps and start adding them back.
Good luck
jack
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: jack
thanks for the quick reply. i am running a fuse on the starter, no problem, no blown fuses. i did replace the cut out, and got the same thing. at idle around +10 amps, hit the gas and the ammeter pegs to +20. do i understand that if i install an alternator this issue will magically dissapear as a function of an alternator vice generator?
did get the tail lights to work, who knows, i guess unscrewing the entire light fixture and putting it back together did the trick....ah the joys of owning a vintage auto. r/ joe
AnswerYes the alt will make everything wonderful !!!!! It says here. Life is simpler with one.
Stick with it. You will get it running like a top. An example: Six of us just drove our cars to the national meet in indiana, just below chicago. about 270 miles away. Got there in one day, driving around 35-45 mph. No problems !!!!! Just get in and drive to chicago. Get these little cars running right, and they will get you there.
jack
