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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 212 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 212 | I have a 58 3100 with a 235.If the truck is running in the morning to warm up with the heater running the amp gauge shows a discharge.If the lights are on it shows even more discharge. The only time there is a charge is when I am on the road running, then the amp gauge jumps to the plus side of the gauge. Does this stock system only charge when a certain rpm is reached ? I have replaced the generator with an alternator. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | if you've changed to an alternator, it's not a "stock system", when it starts charging will depend on the particular alternator and it's internal [?] regulator .... when you first fire it up, try reving it until you see a charge
Bill | | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 212 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 212 | The type of alternator is an early 70s 10SI 3 wire . It has the average amps because there is nothing extra on the truck but a heater. It will show a charge after I shift into second gear but my concern was when idling in the morning when it is cold with the heater running it shows a minus draw. If I turn the truck off after the warm up the power is not restored back to the battery.So should I not run the heater or lights until I actually start out on the road? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | certainly there's no reason to have the lights on when you're sitting idling, and until the engine is up to temp, it doesn't do much to be running the heater .... I'd say you have it wired wrong, the alternator isn't sensing the draw and the accessories are running off the battery - or maybe the alt has a bad regulator, a 3 wire alt should be putting out plenty of current at idle ... maybe read here, and other info from Mad ... and of course a multi-meter could tell you just what's happening in terms of the battery being charged or not Bill | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 | If it is the alternator with the external regulator it has to hit a certain rpm before it kicks in. After it kicks in it will charge at idle. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | Just goose the throttle after startup. Once the internal regulator senses sufficient RPM once, the engine can charge at idle for as long as necessary. It just needs a quick speed increase once to make the regulator kick in. Later-model internal regulators don't need the RPM jump- - - -just the older style ones.
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: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 | My ammeter doesn't read correctly either. I don't think it likes my one wire alternator. But that's too bad, because I don't like fussy generators and voltage regulators. Me and my truck just agree to disagree, just like me and my wife. I think I will change out the ammeter for a voltage regulator and buy my wife flowers for no reason.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 212 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 212 | That goosing the engine explains why the needle only goes to the positive side after I hit second gear. Then there is a definite rpm setting that triggers the regulator to cut in .After a minute or so the needle will come back to the half mark and during continued driving it will lean in and out of the plus side. | | |
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