When I got my '46 a few months ago, the voltage regulator was stuck. Fixed that, and also checked the gen brushes, polished the armature and all has been good with the charging system until last week, when I took the car for a drive and saw the ammeter pegged to the left. Strangely, turning on headlights and foglamps brought the needle off the peg almost back towards midpoint. Slowing down to 5 mph with no lights on, the needle came back to midpoint. At idle, turning on headlights pushed the needle all the way to the right. I went ahead and installed a new voltage regulator, but no change. The only thing I did before the problem surfaced was put the battery on the trickle charger a couple nights, as it still hadn't been fully charged since the initial voltage regulator repair. Any ideas would be appreciated. I am an electricity novice.

Thanks for the help! Chris

Did the battery go completely dead at the point before the system started to malfunction? I suspect you need to disconnect the battery and then polarize the generator. Do you have a manual, because it describes how to polarize the generator.

I would try a few things. First, with the engine off and the battery connected, momentarily hook a thick jumper wire from the BAT to the GEN or ARM terminal on the regulator to polarize the generator. Next check all grounds. Start it up and see what you have. If this does not help, start the car and with the engine a little above idle, use a jumper wire to connect the field terminal on the regulator to a good ground. The ammeter should show a charge. If it does then the regulator is defective, if not, the generator needs work. All these quick tests assume a good battery with no shorted cells. Also, make sure the battery terminals are not reversed.
Good luck.
Joe, BCA 33493

Dear Joe and John,
Thanks for the advice. I had polarized it, and the battery is nearly new. I tried the jumper wire from field to good ground above idle, and the ammeter showed discharge. I removed the generator and checked the brushes - good spring and good contact. Verified connections (what I could see), polished the armature and reinstalled. Same. Put the charger on it overnight, so I could at least take my Saturday drive. Lo and behold, this morning the ammeter was normal once again - showing neutral under acceleration, and a slight charge when I turned on the headlights. I know that nothing cures itself, so I will take the generator to a fine local shop where 6v is spoken and have it reworked. To contribute a resource, the name of the shop is Finicki Auto Electric, 608-243-8730. Very reasonable and knowledgeable.

As always, the forum is such a great help to this new member, and I am truly appreciative! Hope to make some contribution in the future.

Many thanks, Chris