Triumph Repair: ignition light, problem generator, tr3b

Question
QUESTION: Just got my tr3b running without too much difficulty after a few years sitting and notice that the ignition light remains on while the car is running. Can you tell me where I should be looking to correct this? Thanks, Terry

ANSWER: Hi Terry,
Even though the little light says "Ign", it is not an ignition light, it is a charge light and is an indication the charging system is not working. So put a volt meter across the battery posts and read battery voltage, then start the engine and set the idle at a fast idle (1500 RPM) and read battery voltage. It should read 13.8 to 14.5 volts. If it does not, you have a charging system problem. Generator, regulator or wiring.
If you have no charge, let me know and I will give you the procedure to tell if it is generator or regulator or wiring.
let me know,
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Howard for pointing me in the right direction. The battery voltage did not change. I took the two wires off the generator, connected them together, put a voltmeter from that connection to the generator hanger, started the car and got a reading of .02 to nothing. I believe that tells me I have no output from the generator. Correct? or am I missing something

Answer
Hi Terry,
What was that suppose to test?
The test for a generator is to make up a test lead of a 12ga wire to reach from the generator (large post)to the battery post and add a pig tail on the end of the 12ga wire to go from that wire over to the small post connector on the generator. You now disconnect the two wires from the back of the generator and attach your large wire to the large post and the small jumper pig tail to the small post so that the two posts are connected together and then put a volt meter across the battery and read battery voltage (12v +). Now start the engine an set the idle at about 1500 RPM and touch the test lead to the hot post on the battery and read the volt meter (should read about 15v) don't leave the test lead connected for more than a couple of seconds. If you don't have about 15v, the generator is not operating. You can not test the regulator until you have a working generator.
Let me know,
Howard