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Electrical

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 4:41 pm
by RickD
I have a model M 1958 engine. At idle my generator shows 12 volts output but at higher RPMs the output drops to 7 volts or less. Is this a generator problem or a voltage regulator issue?

Re: Electrical

Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 7:01 pm
by mbigpops
Hi Rick,

The generator is actually not generating at low RPM and does not kick in until higher RPMs when it supplies power to the electrical items and charges the battery.

It sounds to me like your generator is working fine. What is happening is your generator output is open at low RPM and then at higher RPM when it closes and connects to your loads then the voltage is getting dragged down. Something on the load side (switch, light, battery, etc. ) could be shorted internally or the wrong voltage (6V ?).

To test you can first remove all loads and then run it up to higher RPMs and see if the voltage stays at 12V. If good then add back in one load at a time and test until the voltage drops again.

Good luck.

Mark

Re: Electrical

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 8:04 am
by Greg Wallace
Might you be reading amps rather than volts?

Re: Electrical

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:11 pm
by jfrprops
I am with Greg.
???
John in Va

Re: Electrical

Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 2:04 pm
by Bilge Rat
To read amps, the meter leads would have to be plugged into the amps jack on the meter and connected in series with the positive from the generator as it goes to the helm amperage meter. If the meter is set to amps, plugged into the amps jack on the meter and then the leads connected to positive and negative, either the meter's fuse will blow or you will fry the meter's amps range.

This is assuming you're using a meter lead set up and not a clamp on current meter.

Re: Electrical

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 6:58 am
by Greg Wallace
I was thinking maybe he was reading the AMP meter on dash?