Gen - Reg - Amp - Batt Relationship

[pflaming]

I'm having charging challenges on my B3B. Last night I drew out the wiring route of the four units involved. I learned that the regulator cycles the generator's energy back to the generator, UNLESS, the battery starts to draw down, then the regulator, which is a valve, allows the generator's output to flow into the generator - ammeter, coil system to maintain a prescribed amount of energy in the battery.

 

So somehow, if the battery is low, the energy from the generator flows backwards into the battery to keep it charged. It's a simple system: (A) batt - starter - ammeter - coil - distributor - spark plugs.  In that chain sits the generator - regulator -  sub-set, always ready to resupply energy through the common connection, the ammeter. 

 

I am suspicious that my wiring is not correct. So will, once again, recheck my wiring in a couple of hours and report back. Oh the joy of learning.  

 

Edit: following morning: I noted all comments, then with them and the Service Manual discovered: (1) Incorrect wiring under the dash, (2) faulty generator. 

Edited June 4, 2013 by pflaming

[Don Coatney]

How many wires are connected to the (-) side of your ammeter, and how many wires are connected to the (+) side of your ammeter? And the bonus question is where do all the wires connected to your ammeter go?

 

If you connect a volt meter to your battery with the engine running at high idle, lights off, heater fan off, what voltage are you reading?

[Jeff Balazs]

Paul;

Did you have the generator rebuilt or at least professionally tested?  Is the regulator new? 

I am no expert.....but if it is charging some of the time and not other times it could be the windings, etc... in the generator are going bad or the regulator contacts are acting up. If it kept the battery up at one point then I would think you had it wired correctly. Of course you could have a loose connection somewhere in the charging circuit.

 

Jeff

[Plymouthy Adams]

hey..the book makes you the professional...lol

[Merle Coggins]

Paul,

Did you ever replace that make-shift wire I added to your regulator at the BBQ? Do you now have a wire going from the ammeter to the "Battery" terminal of your regulator? See attached wire diagram if you don't have one to reference.

B2-Series Wire Diagram.pdf

 

I had a problem with my regulator a couple of years ago. It would charge sometimes, then wouldn't. I finally replaced it and haven't had a problem since.