amp light 54 hornet

harry54

My amp light is acting strange. Sometimes it comes on like the generator is discharging . Then sometimes it acts normal. Generator rebuilt a few years ago so i don't think its that . Do you think that its the regulator ?

[Deleted User]

Dont rule out connecting wires to the generator. The combination of old wires and engine movement can break the wire inside where you cant see it. Will cause just what you describe,
Roger

harry54

wires to the generator are relativlely new... i cleaned battery and connections to the regulator.. didn't help though

HornetSpecial

I had same problem and it turned out to be regulator. Change that out and see what happens I had my generator redone before I checked regulator. Bad move.

Glowplug

Long shot: when stepdown Hudsons were new, Hudson put out a service bulletin thar told service managers to check all in coming service jobs for TOO long screws in the voltage regulators. Seems some got the long screws during manufacture and over time those screws wore through the paint on fender wells creating intermittent shorts.

harry54

thanks i will check...

RonS

Harry, check the ground on the regulator. Take a wire with clips and clip one end to the regulator base and the other to the battery ground post ( pos if original on pre 56s), leave it in place and observe. If solved, clean the holes and mounting screws for the regulator.

Geoff

Also, run a folded piece of 400 grit sandpaper between the points inside the regulator. Most likely a bit of burning on the voltage coil points. there are three coils, the cut-out, current, and voltage coils. The voltage coil is the one at the opposite end to the very heavy wired cut-out. Clean the points with sandpaper, and then with a piece of plain paper soaked in meths, or isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue.

harry54

thanks