Generator Ground wire ? 1947 Dodge

[Conn47D24]

Should I have a ground wire run from this screw to the base of the regulator ?

 

The wiring schematic I have does not show it , however I have seen posts that mention it.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[Dave72dt]

If the generator is working fine, leave it alone.  If it isn't, start checking the other grounds and troubleshoot the charging system. All that additional wire does is add another engine to body ground.

[Plymouthy Adams]

usually you will see a noise filter attached to this screw.

[Conn47D24]

Well my question comes from something I encountered recently.

I was hearing a metallic sound that made me nervous tgat perhaps I had an internal problem.

Then someone told me they thought it was coming from the generator so I replaced the generator with a rebuilt that I have.

 

put it in in the "clacking" sound got a lot louder and more steady it took me very short time to realize it was coming from the regulator all the along.

 

Now it's very loud this is a regulator that I've had tested when I had the rebuilt generator done.

 

In the process now of trying a different regulator

 

 

Any thoughts anyone on what makes the regulator make that kind of noise when it wasn't happening earlier?

 

 

 

[Conn47D24]

New regulator, not making any noise running smooth.

 

Any thoughts on a good regulator going bad starting to make noise like that?

I occasionally disconnect my battery if I'm not going to run the car for a while.

I always polarize at the regulator as instructed after I make all new connections.

 

any thoughts on what would have made this act up?

[Plymouthy Adams]

once you polarize the unit there should not be further need unless you change major components or swap polarity. 

Edited Wednesday at 05:05 PM by Plymouthy Adams

[Sam Buchanan]

1 hour ago, Conn47D24 said:

 

I occasionally disconnect my battery if I'm not going to run the car for a while.

 

Do you have a residual drain on the battery? If so it would be a good idea to eliminate it and if not there isn't any reason to disconnect the battery.

[Plymouthy Adams]

disconnecting the battery lead is going to hurt anything....the extra effort to do this if gives the owner peace of mind...go for it......I do mine also but it can be up to a dang year between drives and often more than 6 months between starts....the poor ole battery is just 15 years old.  

[Sam Buchanan]

I was referring to physics not emotional reasons for disconnecting the battery. The point was if there are residual drains in our old cars it could be beneficial to address them. The only exception I can think of is a clock, I don't know how they interface with the car, my P15 doesn't have one. Driving it is timeless....... 

[Conn47D24]

Thanks guys

 

My clock is not connected currently I don't think there's any other drain on the battery but I do keep a trickle charge if I'm not going to use it for several months and I like to have the battery disconnected while I'm charging.

 

I'm just so happy that noise turned out to be the regulator and not some internal problem🙏

[DonaldSmith]

My 47 DeSoto has disconnects at the  battery ends of the cables, and these have served me well.  I had been in the habit of disconnecting a cable whenever the car was to sit idle for any length of time.  Lately, though, I just keep a trickle charger on it.  No worries about the clock or something else running down the battery.  Maybe this battery will last longer than a year.   

 

I also have a 2011 Buick, whose battery failed earlier this year.  Too much electronics and not enough driving.   So I have a trickle charger on this car, too.  We  have a 2008 Ford, which we drive all the time.  No problem. 

 

(How I remember what model Buick I have?  Well, where do they elect the Pope?  The conclave.  It's a BuickEnclave.)

(What model Ford is it?  Too many choices - Confusion.  It's a Fusion.)  

   

[Plymouthy Adams]

1 hour ago, Sam Buchanan said:

I was referring to physics not emotional reasons for disconnecting the battery. The point was if there are residual drains in our old cars it could be beneficial to address them. The only exception I can think of is a clock, I don't know how they interface with the car, my P15 doesn't have one. Driving it is timeless....... 

I was referring to the physical part also, it is a bit to stop and pop the hood and disconnect the battery, and lower the hood and later up it to connect the battery back in service...but as stated, if that is your routine I support you 100%  

 

I met a guy who not only pops the hood to disconnect the battery, the also takes the air cleaner induction hose off, plugs the air cleaner, plugs the hoses on each end and then places a can over the exhaust tip....this is done even if knowing he will drive it the next day.  Nothing wrong with that either.  

 

 

[desoto1939]

AS per Don Smith, yes these modern cars with all of their electronics are a drain on the battery when sitting in your driveway or garage.  I have a 2009 Vovlo V70 the battery went in the car about 1 year ago.  My Volvo specialist told me that we need to drive the car at least once a week for at least 10-20 minutes so that the alternator kicks in an then charges the battery. Taking a short 1-5 mile run to the store or post office is not enough to put a charge back to the battery.

 

So if you have an older 2nd car that doesnot get great gas milage you still need to start and drive it to keep the battery fully charged.

 

Rich hartung

desoto1939@aol.com