VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 '34 Standard charging volts

My '34 is a looong term resto started by another fella.Sixteen years
back he had 'Dog recondition the generator, starter and carb. As I now
have it started and running well I decided to check voltages in various
places. Across the batt with motor running I got 8.5v somewhat higher than expected for a known charged batt. But cutout relay to good ground showed 16-18v a surprise! I switched to another VOM and got the same reading. Switched out batteries and still the same. Very low charging amps <10. My old feeble brain is perplexed. What am I missing, guys?
Dan

The generator output at the battery cold normally is 8.2 to 8.5 volts. The amp meter should be reading around 8 amps when driving at speed, and no more than 10 amps max.

Did you polarize the generator when you installed it?

Oh Boy! You got me there J.D. I forgot to polarize. First time in 55 years of automotive exploits. My dad from whom I learned the basics would have clunked me in the head for that.( maybe THATS why I'm getting feeble minded and I thought it was the durned meds).
Thanks J.D.
Dan