Re: 39 charging issues
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Did you polarize the generator after installing? If so, there may be more going on but if not, that is generally a necessary first step when a generator or regulator is changed.
Posted on: 2013/9/18 19:04
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Howard
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Re: 39 charging issues
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Just can't stay away
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FYI, dis-connecting the battery while the car is running is not a good way to check the generator. It can actually create a voltage spike and damage other components in the electrical system.
Assuming you are dealing with a local auto electric shop, I would take the generator and regulator to the local shop and have them tested together as on the car, 6 volt positive ground. If both check ok, I'd ignore the ammeter and get a volt meter to check the voltage. Report back and we can try and help you from there. Feel free to contact me if you want. -Jason Advanced Electrical Rebuilders www.aerrebuild.com jason@aerrebuild.com
Posted on: 2013/9/18 20:32
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Jason
Advanced Electrical Rebuilders Starter, Generator & Distributor Restoration jason@aerrebuild.com www.aerrebuild.com |
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Re: 39 charging issues
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Home away from home
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Thanks - it helps to talk to someone who knows what they're doing! We have a good, old time generator shop here in Billings, who doesn't ask "Who makes Packard?" Would it help to check the voltage at the battery while the car is running? If I remember correctly, it should read more than six volts if all is well.
Posted on: 2013/9/18 21:24
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Re: 39 charging issues
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Just can't stay away
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Check voltage at battery while not running should read 6.4 volts +/- a few tenths and should jump up to 7.5 volts or so once running/charging although any jump would indicate a charge of some sort.
-Jason Advanced Electrical Rebuilders www.aerrebuild.com jason@aerrebuild.com
Posted on: 2013/9/18 22:38
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Jason
Advanced Electrical Rebuilders Starter, Generator & Distributor Restoration jason@aerrebuild.com www.aerrebuild.com |
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Re: 39 charging issues
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Home away from home
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Hi - still having problems with the generator. I've checked the wires to the generator and regulator, and have installed a second ground from the generator to the bracket in addition to the stock one going to the screws on the regulator. I took both the generator and regulator to the local generator shop and both checked out and are working well. I touched the A post on the generator to the negative post on the battery for a second to polarize it just in case that was an issue. The car will start and run, but no movement on the ammeter; just stays on full discharge. I swapped the leads on the back of the ammeter, just in case I wired it up wrong. The ammeter will jump momentarily when I turn on the headlights, but then just goes back to discharge. I'm completely baffled. Any suggestions?
Posted on: 2013/11/28 18:02
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Re: 39 charging issues
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Home away from home
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Jason, re-read your suggestion. Hooked up a digital ammeter to the battery, which read 6.5 volts (had the charger hooked up just before testing). Upon starting, the ammeter still showed a discharge, but the voltmeter went up to 6.92 volts.
Next question - can I take a modern ammeter and install it using the old face? I suspect that is my next project. thanks
Posted on: 2013/11/28 18:11
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Re: 39 charging issues
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Home away from home
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In post 6 above u indicated swapping ammeter leads and it STILL showed a discharge. Thetefore the ammeter is bad.
Posted on: 2013/11/28 19:09
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VAPOR LOCK demystified: See paragraph SEVEN of PMCC documentaion as listed in post #11 of the following thread:f
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7245 |
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Re: 39 charging issues
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Home away from home
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Ok, finally got the 39 out of the garage and out for a drive on a beautiful 54 degree day. Charged the battery up well the night before. Drove to my friendly mechanic's house and we installed a ammeter out of a 50 Chevy pickup, letting it droop below the dash. Testing it, we also checked out the battery with a digital voltmeter. The battery was reading just over 6 volts with the engine off. Repolarized the regulator and generator, but still barely any charge with the engine at a fast idle. My friend had a spare brand new voltage regulator on the shelf - we installed it and now things seem to be working ok.
The flack master is looking for a 39 junior series ammeter for me. If anyone else has one floating around, let me know. I can modify the Chevy gauge and make it look like the correct one, but that be a pita project. I would rather have a Packard one. I think the 39 and 40 gauges are the same. I don't understand why the old regulator tested ok in the shop, but didn't on the car, but anyway the parts swapping worked. Thanks
Posted on: 2013/11/29 20:21
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Re: 39 charging issues
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Home away from home
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David,
I may have a 38, 39 or 40 ammeter. I can't recall how the ammeter is built into the ammeter/fuel gauge. I can look tomorrow. Pat
Posted on: 2013/12/13 20:59
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