| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,017 Posts1,055,338 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 42 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 42 | Is the lower connection (bigger gauge wire) the armature connection? What purpose does the upper smaller wire serve? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 | That smaller wire is connected to the field coils. It goes to the "F" terminal on the voltage regulator. There also needs to be a third wire (ground), connecting the generator housing to the regulator base. By intermittently connecting the field coils to ground and opening the circuit with two sets of vibrating points, the current and voltage output of the generator is controlled within pre-set limits. This prevents generator overcurrent damage or overcharging the battery.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 42 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 42 | No indication of a third wire. Only two connectors on generator. On old wiring diagrams they refer to a circuit breaker which I assume we now call a voltage regulator? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 | Are you running a 3 brush generator? Those are self-regulating, and they run a "cutout relay" (maybe AKA circuit breaker) to disconnect the generator from the battery when the engine stops. What year and type of vehicle are we discussing? Other than on some antique farm tractors, 3 brush generators are totally obsolete, and most of them have been replaced by later type charging systems.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 42 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2023 Posts: 42 | Looking at old wiring diagrams they use the term circuit breaker which I believe is the voltage regulator. 1935 Chev 1 1/2 ton farm truck. Untouched for many decades. I believe the reproduction owners manual talks about adjusting the third brush during winter operations to obtain a higher charge rate. | | |
|
|
| |
