 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Antique and Collectibles / Studebaker / April 200550 Champ not recharging
Well even though the guy I bought the car from said the master cylinder was leaking, we decided to skip that step because no amount of pumping could get it to leak, and the reservoir was completely full. Fortunately the only problem with the brake lights was that the wire had come loose from the switch. Nice and simple. But I found out that the battery isn't being recharged. The amp meter only goes in the -, never the positive, and running the car doesn't seem to replenish the juice used by the starter. The manual describes how to check if it is the generator or the voltage regulator causing the problem by grounding the field terminal of the regulator and revving the engine. If the output doesn't increase, it's the generator, if it does, it's the regulator. Has anyone ever performed this test? Is there anything I should be wary of while performing it? You've actually put a voltage tester onto the charging system to see if it is charging? Bo > Well even though the guy I bought the car from said the master cylinder was > leaking, we decided to skip that step because no amount of pumping could [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Has anyone ever performed this test? Is there anything I should be wary of > while performing it? Yes, I've done it and it works. If the car hasn't been driven much in a while I'd bet that there is a thin film of corrosion covering the commutator of the generator. Take a look in the back of the generator at the brass bars and see if they are bright or dull, dark or even greenish. If you take the generator apart (it's really pretty simple), use some fine sandpaper to brighten up the commutator and reassemble it the thing will probably work. Also make sure the voltage regulator is securely attached to the fender or firewall. If it's loose it won't ground properly and the car won't charge... don't ask me how I know this <G> > Well even though the guy I bought the car from said the master cylinder was > leaking, we decided to skip that step because no amount of pumping could [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Has anyone ever performed this test? Is there anything I should be wary of > while performing it? One other thing to do to the commutator when it is apart is to clean out the grooves between each section. The conductor can get scraped over the gap and electrically connect two or more fields. Just don't use a conductive grit sandpaper. Generator shops have a small lathe to do this on and they surface the commutator and clean out the grooves. I use a flat file and a jewelers file. Jeff "Jeff DeWitt" wrote. > Yes, I've done it and it works. If the car hasn't been driven much in a > while I'd bet that there is a thin film of corrosion covering the [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] >> Has anyone ever performed this test? Is there anything I should be wary >> of while performing it? On Mon, 11 Apr 2005 11:25:15 GMT, you wrote: >I use a flat file and a jewelers file. >Jeff break an old hacksaw blade.. grind off ALL but one tooth. works real good.. --Shiva-- > Well even though the guy I bought the car from said the master cylinder was > leaking, we decided to skip that step because no amount of pumping could [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Has anyone ever performed this test? Is there anything I should be wary of > while performing it? First of all did you re-polarize the battery/generator, everytime they are disconnected they need to be polarized, not knowing which generator you have I cannot give you the proceedure, which takes less than 1/30 of a second. DO not use sand pper you mustuse emery cloth, takes about four to five min. Unless the generaor knows whic way to turn it will not charge. Is the battery up to full charge, get a cheap hygrometer and check how many miniature pinpong balls float to the top. Also purchse one of those battery tools, it cleans the posts, and it cleans the cable inside the connector. If for some reason you are getting some current across the car willl run, however with little or no curren car will not. One othe place to check is follow the negative wire doen from the battery and make sure it is conneced properly to the battery. Since the cae sis sit you also might have a short somewher in the wire loom. Cheking that can be a PIA, I am am going with my gut feeking its one o the battery cables BG I would say it needs to be polarized if the circuit has been broken at any place. Henry |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.