I have a 1953 GMC that has been converted to 12 volts still using the generator. I did a check recently, because I bought a new battery, using a battery tester and a multi meter and seen that the system is over charging. when brining the RPM up to about 2K it is putting 15.9V to the battery. I have removed the regulator and looked at the local old truck supplier and he lists two 12 V voltage regulators, one for 25AMP and the other for 25 amp and 35 amp generators. I can't find any information on the generator that tells me what amperage it is. The only number I see is 1102014 2E14. Is there a way to tell what generator I have ? Has anyone else had a similar over charge situation ? Thanks Dave
I think either one will suffice. What year /model etc is your electrical system? 1955 GMC lists 25 amp for base
VR failed on my Mustang and the battery was overcharged and exploded when I started it up one day.
Last edited by Otto Skorzeny; Sun Jun 04 2023 09:08 PM.
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) 1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe 1979 Ford F-100 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
It will be hard to tell what amp the gen. is because if it is 12 volt it is not the original gen to the truck. 25 amps would be Sufi chant unless you have added some accessories. Less amps then the gen. was designed for doesn't hurt anything. Don't use the truck till it is fixed like Otto says you can damage the bat. & any thing electrical on the truck. Now would be a good time to change to an alternator.
George
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing.
If you have an auto electric place there or someone that rebuilds starters and generators, they'll be able to test your genny and tell you the output. They may be able to fix your VR if it's the old non-electronic style.
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) 1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe 1979 Ford F-100 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) 1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe 1979 Ford F-100 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
Thanks for the feedback. I think I will likely go with the 25 amp as suggested here. Not sure what year the electric system is, the conversion was mostly done when I purchased the truck, although not very well. Those pictures of the exploded battery are scary. What brought this to my attention was when I was putting the battery back in after removal for the winter, I noticed it leaking around the positive post. Thought that was strange so put a battery tester on it. Tester said overcharging so tested with multimeter to confirm. Might have avoided a major issue. Will wait for new VR to arrive and will post back. Thanks again for the quick responses. Dave
Wolfs53, take heed, if the electrolyte in the battery falls to a level below the top of the plates you may experience an explosion! Before you do anything else with the battery you need to check the liquid level. Use distilled water to bring the level above the plates, don't fill it to the bottom of the round hole as that will push acid out with temperature and charge changes.
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
