my earlier posting on this subject was vaporized by the server changeover..
I am showing a discharge on my ammeter in my 56, no matter what the revs. the more load i put on the system (lights, blower fan, etc), the deeper the discharge - as expected. I cannot get the ammeter to return to the center or show a charge. I have done the following:
1) tried 2 different generators, both recently rebuilt, and both pass the motoring test (no change in behavior).
2) tried 3 different regulators after properly polarizing (no change in behavior).
3) checked wires from generator to regular terminals for continuity - good.
4) ran separate ground from generator case to regulator case (no effect)
5) ran separate ground from battery negative terminal to regulator case (no effect)
6) truck has been rewired top to bottom and all electrical systems work properly
Observations: Battery voltage (engine off) is 12.6v and does not change when engine is running. putting on high-beam headlights only drops voltage to 12.55. I have had this battery on a tender for a couple of years so it is fully charged.
the only part of the system i did not switch out is the battery itself.
i am virtually certain i have seen the system work properly months ago before the truck was finished, but i am questioning myself on this observation.
any ideas about what could be wrong here? will the regulator not cut-in until the battery voltage drops to a certain value? Will the system begin charging once the battery discharges a bit? can a battery be "overcharged'?
