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1974 Ford 3400- Charging Question

T

tbiglug

Member
Just replaced the generator and regulator today (along with the proofmeter). What's the max allowable charge? I revved it up and the charge climbed up to 14.6V briefly then started coming back down. I know the battery is really low because the generator's not worked as long as the guy before me had it (2 years or so) and I only charged it once since I go it, but I thought you weren't supposed to go over 14.3V.

Also, I noticed now when I shut off the key before I pull the kill cable the generator light glows VVEERRYY dim until I kill the motor. I might never have noticed it except it was pitch black when I parked it.

Any ideas on the above?

Thanks.
 
If I drop the idle on my 1970 4000su all the way down, the gen light will glow real dim. I don't think that's anything to worry about. If the light is burning bright when the RPMs are up, then you have a problem.

Difference between 14.3 and a quick jump to 14.6 when you hit the throttle doesn't seem like a big deal either.. curious what others think. Consider that 0.3v is roughly 2% of 14.3v. Seems negligible. My 65-75 service manual says not to let it climb above 20v during testing.

Hope this helps -
Greg
 
I like to see a steady 14.2V while running normally. Some of the old Motorcraft alt's would regularly push 15V on the trucks. Their batteries seemed to last a LONG time.... So I'd want to see it somewhere in the 14-15 range. If it's not making 14V I would be concerned about that. Something that's sitting in around 13.6 to 13.8 or so is pretty marginal and not really doing much. The battery will probably never see a full charge like that... and you'll be going through batteries even though there's generally enough umph there to start the old thing on all but the coldest days.

Rod
 
i agree with the others.. 14.4 - 14.7 are common charge volts on some alts.. and i have seen the odd 15v unit.

soundguy
 
I don't know the answer to your question.
But I did notice you wrote that you replaced your generator and some of the answers you got refer to an alternator.
 
(quoted from post at 09:23:17 01/13/12) I don't know the answer to your question.
But I did notice you wrote that you replaced your generator and some of the answers you got refer to an alternator.
Click to expand...

Good observation. Probably just mis-speaks though. I think the concept will probably remain the same (max safe voltage for charge) whether it's a gen or alt.

Thanks for the input everyone. I think it should be safe then.
 
and the difference to the battery between a gen and an alternator? if both are making 14.7v ??

none.

that's my point. a gen putting out 14.7 is no big deal.. you can get alts doing that.


soundguy
 
no mis-speak on my part.

bat don't care if solar cell, genny, alternator, nuclear powered steam turbin, direct electron infusion from a divine source.. etc.... etc.

if it's seeing about 14.2-15 it's likely ok. I personally prefer 14.4-14.7.. etc...

soundguy
 
At idle the Alt output, especially a gen, output will be fairly
low.....say 10-11v. The battery is sitting at 12-12.75 ish. That 1-
2.75 difference will pump current through the lamp and cause a
dim illumination.

Once rpms come up it goes out as the alt/gen output exceeds the
batt and a diode keeps it from glowing from a difference of
potential from the opposite direction....the charging direction.

Mark
 
(quoted from post at 19:31:56 01/15/12) At idle the Alt output, especially a gen, output will be fairly
low.....say 10-11v. The battery is sitting at 12-12.75 ish. That 1-
2.75 difference will pump current through the lamp and cause a
dim illumination.

Once rpms come up it goes out as the alt/gen output exceeds the
batt and a diode keeps it from glowing from a difference of
potential from the opposite direction....the charging direction.

Mark
Click to expand...
ark, I would be real surprised to find a diode in that old Lucas reg/gen setup, wouldn't you?
 
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