VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Electrical - 6 volt Generator - Radio ByPass Condenser Tag

Was a radio by-pass condenser tag attached to truck generators in 1954? Since radios were a dealer installed item, I assume that the tag was on all. (Question refers to my '54 3104 pickup)

If so, was it glued to the generator or was it loose?

Thanks,

Lonnie

The tag was loose.

Thanks.

The fan blows the tag over the Field terminal on the generator and up the wire, so I have to move it back to the terminal at every show - if I remember to do so.

- Lonnie

When I said that the tag was loose I meant that it was not glued. However, the tag is mounted to the base of the field terminal and it is held in place with the fasteners on the terminal.

Thanks for the extra information.

Sounds like I have the wrong terminal hardware. I don't have the large washer that is against the generator body as shown in the Factory Assembly Manual. I assume that the tag sits under it. Or is the "washer" in the diagram actually the condenser tag? What do I need?

Factory Assembly Manual:


My generator with condenser tag partially off of terminal. (12v generator with fake 6v tag and serial numbers):


By the way, where can I get a rear oil cover for my generator? The hole is 1/4". Chevs of 40s has 3/16" and 5/16"

Thanks again,

- Lonnie

Check out this link for some possible sources:

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/231203/Generator_oil_cup

Happy Motoring,

Dan

> Junkyard Dog - What type of terminal fastener holds the tag to the generator?

> Dan - thanks for the sources for an oil cover. I'll search for a 1/4" cover.

- Lonnie

The tag goes under the large, flat insulating washer that is on the field ("F") terminal stud.

My mongrel generator doesn't have a "large, flat insulating washer." (See pic above).

> What do I need to get? Fiber? Other?
> Where in the stack of nuts, washers, and wire terminals does the insulating washer go on the threaded terminal stud?

The hole in the tag is pretty large - much larger than the stud. Seems like a washer that will hold it on will also cover the printing. (Incorrect tag?)

Thanks for your help,

- Lonnie

The fiber insulating washer for the "A" and "F" terminal studs is shown in the drawing above and with the tag installed it does not cover the printing on the tag. The insulating washer is used with the two terminal studs.

Thanks for the help. I'll see if I can buy or modify a fiber washer from Ace Hardware or from a local electronics surplus house to fit.

- Lonnie

Both the "A" and "F" terminal studs are insulated from the generator case. You can probably get the correct fiber washers and etc. from your local generator/alternator shop.

I'd be glad to supply you with the oiler and insulating washer if you haven't solved the problem yet. I'm thinking your insulating washer is there though. If it was missing, your generator would be full fielded and charging max output at all times. They're not always as big as you may be thinking they are. Feel free to get a hold of me if I can help you out.
Jason

Jason -

Thanks for kind your offer to help. You're right, the insulators are in place on my generator. It is not charging at full blast all the time. The ammeter fluctuates with engine revs.

I got an oil cap, insulators, fiber washers, and a new tag last week. I was going to remove the nut that holds the Field stud to the generator and place the red tag under it. Was gonna replace F & A insulators while I'm at it. However, I found out Saturday that the threads on the stud are damaged and I can't get the nut off. So, I'll rig up another way to secure the tag in place.

Thanks to everyone who responded to help me.

- Lonnie

New terminal studs for your generator are available. Each terminal stud comes complete with the insulators and the nuts.

JD -

I'm doing this without removing the generator from my truck. Would the generator need to be disassesmbled to replace the terminal studs?

The threads are boogered between the bottom nut and the nut that secures the wire. They will both tighten, but the bottom nut jams up when it is half way off.

The gen is working fine. The only change that I am making is cosmetic.

Thanks for the info,

- Lonnie

Yes.

That's what I thought. I'll find an acceptable way to attach the tag. Haven't accomplished much yet, but I've learned a lot about generators.

Thanks again to all who helped.

- Lonnie

It's not that big of a deal to disassemble the generator and replace the terminal studs.

I'll probably do so the next time that I have the generator off.
Thanks again,
- Lonnie

You bet, glad to help out.

As JD said, It's not too difficult to take apart and change studs. It's very common for these threads to get stripped, see it all the time. Be careful, if you get that thing spinning you will be winding up and pulling on the field coil wire. Best case scenario, you just brake off the field coil wire. Worst case, you start to pull the wire right out of the field coil and cause damage to the coils. The field coil lead does have to be soldered in to the new stud, that will be the most challenging part. Good Luck and most impotantly, Have Fun!
If you ever need help, you can email me direct @ jason@aerrebuild.com I sometimes don't get back to the forum for a while.
Jason