Re: Peterson's 1940 Packard

Posted by HH56 On 2010/5/26 10:55:38

Can you visually see the condition of the contacts or when you do press on them do they feel like they are mechanically sticking? If so, then dressing with a contact burnisher--not file-- or replacing would be the option.

Assuming all the other mechanicals are in good condition, connections clean etc, you might also try repolarizing the generator. May not help but won't hurt either.

There has to be enough residual magnetism to allow the generator to self excite and put out enough to energize the regulator cut out coil from it's off state. Once that is done, it can connect the rest of the circuit for operation.

If contacts are not mechanically sticking, then it almost sounds as if that magnetism is very weak, or a connection somewhere is oxidized with enough resistance that after sitting, the initial pull in voltage is not adequate. Driving or vibration keeps things operational until the next down time.