quick electrical question:

[49DODGEBOY]

as I reinstall everything the PO cut, I now have lights and an amp guage the works. the lights, all of them brighten and dim as you riase and lower the engine rpms. I,m assuming the regulator is not working, am I correct or barking up the wrong tree. As I,ve said before, I,m real ignorant when it comes to electrical. thx guys..

[steveplym]

Does your amp gauge move as well with the engine increase? I know that the generator will not charge at idle and will begin charging once you increase the rpm's.

Usually my amp gauge discharges with the lights on until I get the rpms up on the engine.

One other thing, I had a amp gauge that would bounce a lot. I replaced the voltage regulator and that fixed the bouncing problems.

[49DODGEBOY]

amp guage does increase with the rpms and yes the battery is fully charged.

it will go into dis-charge when I hit the lights..then positive charge on acceleration.

[Brendan D25]

Sounds to me like it's doing what it's supposed to do. As Steve said, it does not charge while idling. If you step it up with the throttle, and run it awhile it should even out. Also, don't leave the ignition key on with the engine off for long times while you are working on things as you could burn the points. Brendan.

[49DODGEBOY]

Sounds to me like it's doing what it's supposed to do. As Steve said, it does not charge while idling. If you step it up with the throttle, and run it awhile it should even out. Also, don't leave the ignition key on with the engine off for long times while you are working on things as you could burn the points. Brendan.

good to know, thx for the lesson

I had no idea thats how the 6volt lights worked, they get pretty dim at idle..

[aero3113]

good to know, thx for the lesson

I had no idea thats how the 6volt lights worked, they get pretty dim at idle..

Thats why my previous owner went to a 6 volt altinator instead of keeping the generator,lights stay the same brightness at all RPM's

[49DODGEBOY]

Thats why my previous owner went to a 6 volt altinator instead of keeping the generator,lights stay the same brightness at all RPM's

I wish, the PO just cut all the wires and hot wired in a 12v ignition so he could just move it around.....

[TodFitch]

good to know, thx for the lesson

I had no idea thats how the 6volt lights worked, they get pretty dim at idle..

Not just 6v lights. That is also how the 12v lights worked too back before alternators and electronic voltage regulation.

Bad grounds and corroded connections will make the matter worse. They should not dim very much if the wiring is in good shape and the battery is in good condition.

[49DODGEBOY]

Not just 6v lights. That is also how the 12v lights worked too back before alternators and electronic voltage regulation.

Bad grounds and corroded connections will make the matter worse. They should not dim very much if the wiring is in good shape and the battery is in good condition.

Luv being able to learn something new daily.......especially as I push 50....

and yes I,m finding that out as far as the wiring goes, been cleaning and adding lock washers to everything (thanks to the tip here),

well after 2 years I can finally drive at night at least..

thx all

[Jerry Roberts]

Your maximum connection is made by having the surface that you are connecting to clean to bare metal in a diameter as large as the terminal that you are connecting to it with nothing between the terminal and the point of connection.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

I have to agree with Shel on this . I know that there are experts that think otherwise , but it just makes good common sense to me .

[49DODGEBOY]

In my former career if it was not done that way, it failed the quality assurance inspection.

jeese I hate Q/A people......(sorry, work in manufacturing)

really, thx for the input I,ll be redoing them all circuit by circuit.