1937 Terraplane generator/regulator

Unknown
Unknown
edited October 2010 in HUDSON

I have a 1937 Terraplane Deluxe coupe. Recently the "not" charging light has come on. I did an ohms check on the entire charging and light harness and it checked out ok. I had the generator checked and it too is ok. So I believe the regulator is the reason the cutout relay is not closing. The generator is an autolite GCJ-4804A and the regulator is a VRR-4001A. I purchased a regulator on Ebay, but the problem persists. So I'm looking for a good regulator, or generator/regulator combination the will mount to the existing mount. Is there anyone out there that might have any suggestions? I would appreciate any help. Thanks Dennis Sprague

In addition I did try flashing the generator according to the book.

Comments

  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    I'm far from an expert on auto electrical systems, but didn't the Deluxe model have a cutout originally (something less than a full voltage regulator)?

    Seems like putting a real voltage regulator in, is the best idea, but does it match your generator? If you look in the shop manual you'll see the exact model numbers of the Super Terraplane's generator and voltage regulator, and I'm guessing that you should be using these specs.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    The book will also tell you how to tell where the issue lies. You may just have a broken wire . Also a new regulator generaly need's to be "Flashed" when installed. Don't know if you did this or not , but the book would show you how,
    Roger
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Tallent, it's the generator that may need "flashing" in some cases, not the regulator. That's to restore or to change the polarity of the small amount of permanent magnetism in the pole shoes and case.

    Airmec, with everything connected as normal, you can use a jumper wire to temporarily ground the F (Field) terminal on the generator, and see if that causes the relay to close. If so, that indicates it's the regulator/relay or the Field wire from the generator that's at fault. Be careful though ... don't run the rpm up too high with the field grounded ... if the generator's working well it can produce voltages high enough to cause blowing of light bulbs, etc. Best to have a voltmeter hooked to the A (output) terminal of the generator to measure the voltage when you're doing this.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    You are correct, the regulator does have the cutout relay for charging. but it also has the regulation relay for the field. It is a 4 post 2 relay regulator. The book calls for that regulator for this year car. Thanks for the input Dennis
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Thanks for the input Roger,
    Yes I did the flashing according to the book. I'll try it again to be sure.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Thank you very much sir, I am going to go give that a try. If you can think of anything else I would appreciate. The book speaks mostly of putting both nunits on a machine and test them together. If the cutout relay closes that would indicate an problem in the field windings ot the regulation relay. Thanks again Dennis
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    For 1937 -
    Generator GJC-4801A-1 - 1937 Terraplane 70, 71, 78
    GJC-4803A - 1937 Terraplane 72; 1937 Hudson all

    Regulator CBA-4003 - 1935 Terr. G after eng #143134; 1936-1938 Terra. 61, 70, 71, 80, 81; 1939 Hudson 90, 91,98
    VRD-4003A - 1937 Terra. 72; 1937 Hudson all

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
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