VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Electrical - 6 volt 6v Generator test

First of many dumb questions! If my 49 Chevy Styleline Deluxe is running and I pull the positive battery cable lead, shouldn't the car keep running with the generator? If it dies ( and my car did) it confirms a bad generator?

I have a cheap multimeter, but really dont know how to use it, which is why I am asking, but if I could be directed to how to use it maybe I can do that?

If I place the lead of the skinny wire post on generator and touch the block to ground or is it the thicker wire and the other to ground while car is running?

Thanks

It should run if the RPMs are up.

As Jon suggested at low engine speed generators dont have a large output but at light throttle opening should put about 7.2 volts (for a 6v battery or 13.8v for 12v) at the battery or generator output terminal.
Tony

I have a 6v 41 Master Deluxe. The charge gauge will drop slightly below the mid point during idle. With the lights and / or fog lights are on this is more noticeable. This is an indication that at idle the generator is producing less than is required and the car is discharging the battery. As soon as the RPMs are increased the needle moves above the mid point and then back to the mid point. This indicates that it is charging, when it returns to the midpoint the battery is charged.

I would avoid removing the battery cable while running. It is best to avoid sparks or any potential shorts. Touching a potentially live positive cable to the chasse would not be good.

You can use the multimeter direct on the battery (multimeter red wire to battery + and black wire to battery -). Measure it at idle and higher rpm too.

Mihaly

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts... I did have engine at normal idle, so based on what has been stated, that would not be enough power potentially. I also hear you on the safety of not introducing spark.

Sounds like checking the battery at off, idle and then with a little light throttle the reading should increase? My dash has some challenges and cant really make out the position of the needle on the gauge.

There seems to be more and more stuff, that I need to address to get this going, but that is the fun part, and the fact that my 12 year old son is having fun learning with me, makes it that much more meaningful. I really appreciate the advice, will try later when I get home from work and keep you all posted, if you are interested on what I find.

The generator output will increase with engine speed until it reaches demand or it's output limit whichever is first.