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Generator not charging

Tiny
POLIZEME25
  • MEMBER
  • 1961 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 0.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 35,000 MILES
Hi, I have a very old DELCO REMI generator in my car. First is there a way to test the generator directly while the car is running? I'm not getting any reading on the amp meter. What steps do I need to take to get the generator to start charging the battery.

See photo.

Thank you Kenny.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 4:58 PM

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Tiny
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Good morning,

You need to go to the voltage regulator and disconnect it. Then jump the B+ with the field wire and that should full field the generator and make it charge. If it does not then the generator is no good and needs to be replaced.

Roy
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 4:47 AM
Tiny
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Roy,

I will try this, glad to see you back.

Thank you,

Kenny
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 5:00 AM
Tiny
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You are welcome, Kenny.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 5:31 AM
Tiny
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Roy,

There are 2 wires going to the relay, can I remove both wires? Since this is a positive ground, looking at the generator which wire should be removed for testing.

Thank you Kenny.
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 6:11 AM
Tiny
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Are there any markings on the cover or where the wires are located?

Look for one of the wires marked with an F for field. That would be the one.

Do you have anyone in your area that rebuilds these generators? You need to find an old timer like me to do this. They are out there you just need to find a place that can help with the system.

What is the voltage at the battery with it running? I assume it is a 6 volt system which means you should have 7 to 7.5 volts with it running.

Roy
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 6:25 AM
Tiny
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Roy,

Okay, here is the information:

Battery voltage don't change. Volt meter on dash board don't register. As you know there are two wires, one coming out of a small cable harness, left side on my diagram. I measure 5.6 volts coming from This wire, key is off.

The second wire comes out of the generator's body and connects to the voltage regulator. Does this make any sense to you. How should proceed? I believe the generator was working not to long ago.

Please see my diagram.

Appreciate your help.

Kenny
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 10:05 AM
Tiny
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I am trying to get a diagram of the circuit for the generator. Bear with me until I find this information for you.

Roy
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM
Tiny
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I found this diagram in one of the very old books.

Take a look at it and see if the wires match up.

Roy
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
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Roy,

Hi I will compare the diagram to the generator and regulator. You said in a 6 volt system a fully charged battery should read 7 volts. I had several batteries, and after charging they read 6 volts or a little over. Would you know what the voltage is when the generator kicks in? Should it be 7 volts?

Thank you, Kenny
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
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Fully charged is 6.4 volts.

Charging should be around 7 to 7.5 volts.

Roy
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
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Roy,

Not getting even close to 7 volts with Generator, I need to backtrack with the wiring and voltage. I'm getting a movement on the cars dashboard Meter but it's minimal. Hopefully I will get the answer with some more testing.

Thanks again.

Kenny
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Friday, May 1st, 2020 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
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In the old days we used to polarize the generators to charge the magnets. That is when you took the battery cable and touched it to the armature terminal of the generator.

The magnets may have lost there charge over the years.

Beyond that, you will need to have it rebuilt.

Roy
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 4:14 AM
Tiny
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Hi Roy,

I believe the generator is starting to charge. I ran the car this morning and the battery read 6.4 without running.
Then after a minute or so it was Up to 6.9 I had to turn the car off, There's a noise coming from somewhere, sounds like something is rubbing, rattling. I'm going to run the car again later. But the car starts up without any issues. Oil pressure reads max on the gauge. Now I need to figure out what's creating the noise.I would like to get this car out, it has been sitting in my garage way too long. I'm sure there are other issues, time will tell. I will let you know how the charging goes, the amp gauge moves but only slightly.

Thanks again,

Kenny
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 6:55 AM
Tiny
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Keep me updated Ken.

The old generators were good. If you have a meter with an amp clamp, see if you can read the amps.

Roy
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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 AT 7:00 AM

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