When I got my 53 jet it had a Chrysler generator on it I've have never had any problems with the amp light coming on. A couple weeks ago we went to put a refurbished hudson generator in but the amp light came on bright as could be so we put the Chrysler generator back on and had the same issue with the amp light. Then we replaced the voltage regulator and keep the Chrysler generator on. When the car is running with no lights on the amp light is off. When the parking lamps are on the amp light is off. When the head lights are turned on the amp light just barley lights up. The new voltage regulator we put on was synced to another hudson generator we have. My question is doessential the voltage regulator have to be resynched to the Chrysler generator? Could that be the reason they amp light is coming on? Any advice is greatly appreciated
Dorian
This is with no lights
This is with parking lamps
This is with headlights on
It could be that the "new" generator may have been polarised incorrectly. Whenever you fit a replacement generator you need to momentarily connect the A and B terminals (with battery connected). What you need to now is check the regulator voltage by connecting a needle-type voltmeter between ground and the A terminal of the regulator or generator, turn the lights on, and rev the motor. You should have a reading of 7.2 to 7.5 volts.
Geoff
Dorian,
I am assuming that the generator is charging. (If the lights get brighter when the engine is turning fast, compared to when the engine is idling, the generator is charging.}
The charge light is connected across the cutout relay (one of the three relays in the voltage regulator). When the car is idling slowly, the cutout relay is open. At this time the charge light is on, because one wire from the light is connected to the generator which is not charging, and the other wire from the light is connected to the battery. When the engine is running faster, the relay turns on, making a connection between the generator and the battery. This turns off the light. If the connections are not good, or the points on the relay are corroded, there will be a more than normal voltage drop across the relay. This can cause the charge light to light dimly. The more current that the generator is producing, the larger this voltage drop is. There is much more current being produced when the headlights are on than when no lights, or just the parking lights are on.
You should follow Geoff's suggestion. The voltage regulator can be adjusted. If the voltage is higher than he recommends, there will be more current than expected. This can cause the dimly lit charge light even if the connections are OK. It will also cause the battery to be charged more than necessary.
Per
