Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Good news -- I got my 31 started yesterday. After cleaning the carb and lubricating the air vanes and metering dish, it fired up!

Had great oil pressure, but one issue was the ammeter was reading a slight discharge as it was running. I think the issue is polarization of the generator. However I did notice the negative battery cable wasn't on too tight which might have something to do with it. Nontheless, how do I go about polarizing the generator? What I'm working with is an Owen Dyneto relay mounted on top of the generator, which has two leads -- one going to the ammeter/battery, and the other going to a sizeable fuse underneath. Is the volt regulator located in the same box?

Your car predates generator or so-called voltage regulators. Unless your generator has been modified, the "box" is just a simple cut out to open the circuit and prevent the battery from discharging back thru the generator when the engine is shut off. You have what's called a third brush generator, output is increased or decreased by adjusting the position of the third brush which is done via an adjusting screw on the rear of the unit.

Your properly connected as positive ground?

Have you checked the fuse? They are available from NAPA.

Yes, the system is 6 volt and is positive grounded, and no I have not checked the fuse. You're referring to the fuse in the relay?

Yes, the fuse in the cut out.

Okay, just checked the fuse and it tested good. I pulled the rear cover off the generator -- is the adjusting screw attached to a small gear? The Service manual indicates that the rate of charge is 10 to 12 amps at 18 to 20 mph; but I did see your past post where you limit it to 5 amp for daytime driving, and a little more if your out at night and using other electrics.

Take off the cutout cover and disconnect the wire to the generator. Using an ohm meter connected between the armature lug and ground, manually close the points. If nothing changes on the meter you have an open circuit.

Could be a dirty commutator, brushes, open fields, a loose wire etc.. I fixed a V-12 once by gluing a loose brush wire back into the brush. I got a kick out of the stupid advertisement verbiage as it kicked around the old car auction circus. Then somewhere along the way it got all screwed up. I haven't seen it since.

There's a starting point.