1961 Generator questions

[Francis]

I have an 1961 Tbird with charging problems. My car does not charge the battery at idle with any accessory on (lights, etc). With out any accessories, the generator puts out approx 12.9V, depending where I set my idle. At this point the regulator field wire is at the same voltage as the battery, so it is getting full field. When I rev the car, I get approx 13.4-13.8V and the battery charges just fine.

Is a generator car supposed to charge at idle? I have gotten mixed answers to this questions from seasoned mechanics around here. They all agree that they are hazy remembering as most of them haven't seen a generator in a lot of years.

If I am supposed to charge at idle, what could be wrong? I took the generator down to the auto electric guys nearby and they said it is fine and putting out >50A. I wonder how fast they were spinning it.

I would be very grateful if someone with a pre 1963 car could go out and fire it up, turn on the lights and check the voltage at idle.

Here are the things I have done so far:

All new battery wires. Mostly 2AWG, except the solenoid to starter that is 4AWG. They didn't have a 2AWG wire that was long enough.

New 2AWG block ground wire and two seperate additional body ground wires that aren't stock, one 10AWG and one 8AWG.

3 new voltage regulators. The first new one was from Autozone and went out because my carb guy wired choke voltage off the field wire. I replaced that one and bought a third from Napa thinking the autozone one could be crap. The last time I replaced the VR I wirewheeled where the VR meets the body to get good ground. I also rewired the choke wire with a relay that energizes with the key.

New generator brushes.

Any help would be awesome.

Thanks in advance...

 

[tbird5866]

Generators do not usually put out any serious voltage at idle. That's the nature of the beasts.

 

[MarkIV]

I agree with Harley.
If you have a pulley small enough to ensure idle voltage, then you'll prematurely wear out the generator.
I have a 60 bird & a 64 1/2 Mustang with generators & neither charges at idle

 

[Ken(Ark)]

I have a few flat head Ford N series tractors (1939 -1952) and I am pretty active on those sites .

Some of them boys are pretty sharp .

Genny's just don't charge at idle / low R's .

Many of the guys have changed to alternators for running accessories , boy does that tick off the purists , he he .

The best thing for these old tractors is routine maintenance keeping the electrical connections clean . I am sure that would be a good thing for a Bird too .