1941 generator issues

[Todd Limoncelli]

I have a 41 series 62 that was sitting for about 20 years. I have gotten it running but the ammeter was always pinned at full charge as soon as I gave it some gas. It has a new battery that is on a tender when not in use. I tried changing the voltage regulator but still did the same thing. I read a article that said removing the neg cable for a couple of seconds may fix the problem. Well, I tried that and it started to discharge all the time. Now it will not show a charge at all.  I took the generator to a shop which told me the generator is working correctly. The wiring is orginal, but, when I ohm the wires they are good. I am at a loss here with it.I have polarized the generator every time it gets disconnected.

[Dave Shepherd]

Make sure the regulator is grounded.  To check further momentarily ground the field terminal on the gen, it should go to full charge. Post back the results.

[Alan Harris CLC#1513]

1. Not to insult you, but you are aware that 1941 Cadillacs are Positive Ground?
2. Is it possible that the ammeter is defective?

[Dave Shepherd]

It does not change the technique, for checking out put.

[Todd Limoncelli]

Dave, I did what you said. Nothing changed. Still discharging. I had the generator bench tested and it was working.now, either a wiring problem or regulator, but the new regulator did the exact same thing. can I run a field wire and armature wire from the generator to the regulator to eliminate the wiring?

Alan, yes. I know it is a positive ground.

[Dave Shepherd]

Yes you can. Google how to test positive ground generator.  It is exactly as I told you.

[Todd Limoncelli]

Make sure the regulator is grounded.  To check further momentarily ground the field terminal on the gen, it should go to full charge. Post back the results.

Hello Dave,
Sorry for the extended response. I grounded the field side of generator and it went to full DISCHARGE. I rebuilt the generator with new field coils recently. It's such a simple system that I think I'm overlooking something thats probably right in front of my face. I don't have a idea what could be wrong, I tried all I can think of.

[Dave Shepherd]

Check this thread. https://www.packardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4538#:~:text=Re%3A%206V%20positive%2Dground%20generator%20quit%20working...&text=Start%20the%20engine%20and%20temporarily,charge%20the%20regulator%20is%20faulty.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

For what it's worth, I had a regulator to out. Replaced with a brand new one, and it was bad. Just because a part is new, doesn't mean it's good. Just a couple of thoughts- is it actually not charging, or is it your gauge? How is the regulator ground?

Good luck
Jeff R

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

Have you polarised the generator?

[novetti]

Confirm the field poles are not switched if the gen has been recent rebuilt.

Happened to me before twice.

[Todd Limoncelli]

For what it's worth, I had a regulator to out. Replaced with a brand new one, and it was bad. Just because a part is new, doesn't mean it's good. Just a couple of thoughts- is it actually not charging, or is it your gauge? How is the regulator ground?

Good luck
Jeff R

Hi Jeff,
its actually not charging. The battery would go dead after a few attempts at starting and checking things, so no charge

[Todd Limoncelli]

Have you polarised the generator?

Hi Phil
Yes. Polerized every time battery is disconnected and before being started

[Todd Limoncelli]

Confirm the field poles are not switched if the gen has been recent rebuilt.

Happened to me before twice.

Hi,
I rebuilt the generator myself and tested the connections. all seemed good. is there a certain way it needs to be connected to field coils? I had one going to field coil and the other going to brushes.

[novetti]

YUP

If you invert the terminals on the field pole terminations, it won't charge the battery.

I got it wrong in two Generators I rebuilt before (after disassembly, blasting, paint etc) I had no traces of the original connections where they supposed to be.

It was hell trying to find out...

not saying it happened in your case but to discard the possibility if everything else you try doesn't work.

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

The easiest way to test a generator is ground the body of it (positive in your case) and connect the negative. It should run like a motor, because that's what it is. I always use this method to polarise generators. The regulator tests should be covered in the shop manual.
Phil

[novetti]

Even w inverted field poles the gen will run ''like a motor''  FYI

[dplotkin]

If the generator works on a bench it will work in the car when a correct and good regulator is used.

Dan