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Received a call from member #4520 Robert Egan about his '55 Firedome sedan. Bob contacted me as the '55 model year coordinator but I'm afraid my automotive electrical skills are limited and thus I was not of much help to Bob. Despite a rebuilt generator, new regulator and new wiring he has been unable to resolve the problem of his electrical system not charging the battery. Sounds like he, several friends and a local auto electric shop have been unable to resolve the problem. Any suggestions or ideas to share with Bob?
Mark
It's difficult to tell with limited information, but there is a procedure in the shop manual for polarizing the fields in the generator. It may not charge following the rebuild until that has been done.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
A second vote for Tim's suggestion. It takes just a second or two to polarize the generator.
My question is, under what conditions does a generator need to be repolarized ? Is it just when it's rebuilt, or every time you disconnect the battery, or ?
Ron
I think the shop manuals say that it needs to be done every time the battery is disconnected, but my starter/generator rebuilder guy says that the fields retain residual magnetism for a while, so a routine dead battery or removal of a battery cable doesn't require re-polarizing the fields. When I pick up my rebuilds they are "polarized and ready to go"
However, electricity is voo-doo.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
I also think it could be that Bob needs to repolarize the generator.
Ron, I have a battery disconnect switch on my '55 and have left it
disconnected for days, without the need to repolarize.
Before I installed the switch I would just take the cables off, with the same result.
I hope that helps.
With the cruise nights starting up soon, I will be seeing Bob, hopefully with his
beautiful Firedome.
Dean
