charging problems...

[Svenn Ryen]

Hi guys....

I am having some issues with the charging on my C15A.

It wont charge until I do the polarising on the genny procedure...with a jumpwire between the btt and gen Connections on the voltage reguator. I do this,,it charges, and even if I stop the engine and start it again... But If l leave it of for some time I have to do the jump wire procedure again to get any Reading on the ammeter. ???

Any ideas?

Svenn

[Lang]

Svenn,

Sounds like something in the circuit is Positive earthed (assuming you have negative earth system). Have a look at each circuit for each instrument and lights including coil. Begin with the battery to starter - starter will work the same whether it is hooked up positive or negative and most of the other systems will work either way so you can only tell easily by checking the hook-up for each item.

Really basic thing to check is the ammeter hooked up the right way and not showing discharge when it is really charging. Check this by putting on the lights and if it shows charge it is hooked up backwards.

Is the voltage regulator all wired correctly?

Something in your system is tripping the generator, it is highly unlikely it will be doing this itself.

Lang

[Lynn Eades]

Your generator is not putting out a high enough charge to make the contacts in the regulator to close.
by powering the fields you are making the output high enough to close the regulator points, which open again when the output drops.
It may be as simple as a dirty commutator.

[Lang]

Lynne,

The thing that is really strange is why does the generator polarity change?

I can understand your solution if the generator is not doing its job as you say but swapping from + to - is weird. Maybe Svenn is just assuming this is happening and flashing an already correctly polarised generator while chasing the problem you suggest.

Lang

[motto]

I don't think it's reversing polarity Lang. It appears that the residual magnetism is insufficient to enable a high enough voltage to be developed to pull in the reverse current relay.
The first thing to do, I would think, is to monitor voltage output which should be between 7.2 and 7.4 when charging.
I would like to know the fix for this one as my Dodge has started doing the same thing.
Someone out there has the answer.

David

[Lang]

David,

What about starting at the generator to take each element standing alone. The raw output from the generator should be well over 20 volts. If that is OK it should eliminate the generator and direct attention to the voltage regulator?

Lang