Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1939 Packard, field terminal, current regulator

Question
 
Hi Dick, haven't "talked" with you in a while.  You may recall I have the 1949 Studebaker which I bought in Carlsbad and brought back to Florida and also an 1939 Packard.  From time to time I do some work on them and you have been quite helpful in the past.
My question is:
When I turn on the key in the Packard the ammeter goes to charge.  I think it should go to discharge before the engine is started.  Right?  I think something may be backwards.
According to the wiring diagram there is supposed to be a wire from the Ammeter to the Current Regulator - but I don't know where on the voltage regulator to attach it.  There is only one pole on the regulator without a wire and it is labeled "L".   The other poles are connected.
I ran a temporary wire from the ammeter to the L pole, but it did nor make any difference.
The car starts and runs.
I tried reversing polarity but it did not change anything.
What do you think.
Hope

Answer
I'm sorry, I don't recall your cars (I do about 100 of these Q&As a month - so if more than a few days has elapsed, it is gone from my memory).  

The Packard is a positive ground car (so is the Studebaker, for that matter).  If the ammeter moves toward charge when you turn the key on, either the battery is installed backwards, or the ammeter is mis-wired (also backwards).

The regulator terminals go to the battery, the armature, and the field terminal of the generator.  There may also be a ground terminal, but usually this is omitted because the mounting screws provide the ground for the regulator. None of those terminals would have an "L" on it.  Typical lettering on the terminals is "A", "B", "F" and "G".   

My 39 Packard (sold many years ago) was a 12 cylinder car, and it did have very high power headlights, with a special regulator that boosted the power when the headlights were on the "country" high beam setting (the headlight switch had 4 positions).  Unless your car is a 12, I don't think you would have such a regulator.


If you don't find your trouble by correcting the battery polarity, write back and tell me which model of Packard you have, and whether your generator and regulator are made by Delco-Remy or by Auto-Lite.  (Packard used both).

If you can scan the wiring diagram and send it to me (dickb@sdccu.net) I will take a look at it and see if I can help figure out what is wrong.

Dick