I know! I know, this sounds like a really stupid question to ask, noobie stuff. But hear me out.

I'm trying to diagnose my charging system which seems to only work half of the time until the engine gets up to temp. I want to be sure I'm polarizing the system right.

The problem I have is all the conflicting information everywhere online. I'd trust you guys more then anyone because we all work with the same type cars. There's all these different electrical systems out there I'm reading about so you never know who's right. Here it is:

On a 55 Ford, 6v POSITIVE ground system do you:

- Touch Armature wire to the Bat terminal on the control box

- Disconnect Field terminal and touch it to the Bat terminal.

Also, can you do this with all the terminals connected and just use a jumper wire? Or do you need to have the Arm/Field wire disconnected? Someone somewhere said it'd burn out the regulator if the wires were all connected when you did this.

UGH!  It's been awhile!

Me thinks the Ford 6 volt system generator field is externally grounded, so...
With the generator installed on the engine and all leads connected...
Momentarily connect a jumper wire from the 'BAT' to the 'GEN' or 'ARM' terminal of the voltage regulator.

Just a touch of the jumper to both terminals is all that is required.

IF the generator field is internally grounded instead, disconnect the field wire from the regulator and momentarily touch this wire to the regulator 'Bat' terminal.

Hope this helps.  


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

From the '55 Merc shop manual; Ford will be the same:

"To assure proper polarity, disconnect wire from FIELD terminal of regulator and momentarily touch it to the BAT terminal of the regulator."

This procedure must be done after installation of a new or rebuilt generator BEFORE starting the engine. Reversed polarity will vibrate and burn the cutout and limiter contacts inside the regulator.

Alright thanks guy. I was doing it right, that's good to know. : )

THANKS for coming in on this, Dobie.

I'd forgotten whether the generator field was internally or externally grounded on Half-dude's application.  DUH!


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Now if I could remember if it is an "A" or "B" circuit.