Re: Power to the People (Part 2)

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2011/4/8 8:38:36

Packard V8, you recall that this isn't really a regulator in the traditional (post 1937) sense in that it has no amperage control - the adjustment for amp output by the 3rd brush only varies the output, but no variation based on the load or demand on the system. That's why daytime driving with the lights on was so common in that era - folks didn't want to overcharge the battery and also didn't want to stop, open the hood, and turn down the 3rd brush, so they just added some demand to the system.

I set my 3rd brush to make the ammeter just barely (1 or 2 amps) positive at road speed with the headlamps on so I can drive as long as I wish at night. If I do extended daytime driving I just put the headlamps on. In 46 years of driving this car I've never had to service the cutout control or the generator other than to install a set of brushes. Battery life is typically 8 or more years, so this method is well-proven.