Charging problems on an Original
 

The Daughters Original is having charging problems. I'm really good at wireing but I know nothing about how the starter generator setup works. Recently got the Original with a new Interstate battery and gave it a full charge when I got it home. It does have a starter generator that is not yellow so it's not original. It has been run for at least 4 hours around the yard in the time I have had it. As far as I know it may have never been charging when I bought it, I never metered the battery while running. Today after starting it a few times while checking the adjustments on the carb the battery went low. I tested voltage while running just above idol and it is not charging. What should I check to find out if it's a starter generator or a voltage regulator problem? Where should I test and what should the voltages be? Thank You!

First, what is the voltage at the Battery when the engine is running at WOT..??

Here's some info

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=18

There's a few reasons why they won't charge but most are easily found. 5 out of my 6 didn't charge when I got them, for various reasons from shorted field coil to case to simply dirty points inside v/r. Good luck and you will get it

Voltage was 12.7 about same as battery voltage at the time. I did next hook my volt meter from -battery to either terminal on the starter generator while running and got no volts DC. ??

The next step is to do what it says in the link in Alvy's post.

Not enough. Should be in the neighborhood of 13.7VDC.

Thanks for the advice I will try the test that was posted this morning and post my results when finished. I am betting it is the voltage regulator because it looks like it is the original from 1962. Soon find out. Thanks.

I checked things out tonight. I took the regulator and the starter generator off. I took both of them apart and looked at everything and all looked good. The voltage regulator looked like new inside but the outside looks like it's been sitting outside since 1962. It said Delco Remy on the regulator, is that original? I assume the starter generator is not original because it has black original paint. All the connections looked good and I metered all wireing to be sure the wires are good. I put everything back together and started it up and it is charging but not at idol. If I run full throttle it will gradually creep up to 13+ volts, at idol or just above it doesn't seem to charge. About half throttle and above is when it starts going up. Is this normal or is the starter generator weak and in need of a rebuild? I am charging the battery tonight to make sure it's 100% fully charged and I will retest again tomorrow using the posted tests.

If you have around 13.VDC at 3600 Engine RPM's, then this is NORMAL.

Agreed.

But, it should start charging before half throttle. Also, it shouldn't creep up slowly. My guess is failing regulator.

Run it at half throttle and ground the "F" terminal and see what it puts out. Should be really close to 13V even at half throttle.

That F terminal test failed so I brought the starter generator to my starter repair guy and he tested it with his tester and it failed so it's getting repaired as I type this. He said to bring the regulator in when I pick up the S/G and he will test it also. Hopefully in an hour or so it should be back together in time for my daughters evening drive with the dog in the trailer.

Let us know what he found. I've had a few with open field coils. You can fix it yourself and save some $, not much inside them and easy to take apart.

I finally got my S/G back from my rebuilder. He said it was a bad armature. So it got a new armature, two new bearings, new brushes and he tested my existing voltage regulator. It cost $97.00, not a cheap repair. On his home maid load tester he spun it up and it was puting out 12 amps at aprox 1800 rpm as I watched. Before his repair work it was putting out 1 amp. Right now it's getting a quick coat of Federal Yellow and when it's dry enough it's going back on. Hopefully in time for my daughters evening drive with the dog in the trailer. Thanks for the help as always.

Paint is a bit sticky yet but I got the regulator and S/G back on and it works great. Did a quick check and at aprox half throttle there was 13.2v. When I get things cleaned up I will do a full throttle test, I'm sure it will put out what it should. I never should have painted the S/G and bracket, the bright new paint may become contagious.


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