Classic/Antique Car Repair: Generator light 63 Ford Fairlane 500, ford fairlane 500, 63 ford fairlane

Question
Hi Dick,
The generator appears to be charging the battery but the light stays on when the car is idling? I've been told that this is normal and not normal for Gen/voltage regulator system and that I should change it to an alternator system. Who's right?
Thanks

Answer
Yes, it is quite normal, as your owner's manual will tell you.  The older generator system does not begin to charge the battery unless the engine is running above idle - that is the way it was designed, and I don't advise changing it.  It is true that a modern alternator will charge the battery at idle, but how much time do you spend idling? And how willing are you to completely revamp the electrical system to get the "benefit" of the newer design?  The alternator is an improvement, but a very small one, and the downside is you cannot fix them without a significant amount of knowledge of electrical things, but the generator is so simple even a farm boy knows how to fix it!  So, it's up to you - I'd spend my time worrying about something more important, though.

Dick