Model 50 New Electrics - not charging !

It sounds to me that your charging circuit is working OK. Registering negative amps with ignition on is a good start. What happens with lights on and engine stopped? If that is also negative it would appear that the ammeter is correctly wired. Zero amps with lights on and engine running suggests that the generator is supplying the requested load. If the battery was already fully charged the regulator would not need to deliver any more current to the battery hence the zero reading. If you are still concerned talking to Paul Goff would seem like a sensible move.

Ian McD

The "live" wire from the regulator should go to the same side of the ammeter as the load (ignition switch etc) - the opposite side to the battery connection. You may have it on the battery connection which would probably give the results you're seeing.

Hi Ian, I agree with your comments re regulator & load connections on one side of the ammeter and battery connection on the other. I am less sure of what you said next. If the regulator and battery connections were on the same side of the ammeter then certainly charging current would not be measured, but all the load current, whether coming from the battery or regulator, would have to pass through the ammeter which would always read negative.

Cheers, Ian McD

That is of course true - sorry for misleading anyone.....

What voltage do you see at the battery? It would also be worth measuring it at the output of the regulator (disconnected from the ammeter to get a true reading*). When the engine is running at a reasonable speed you should see 14 volts or more at both.

I find it strange that the ammeter shows a discharge with engine stopped but goes to the centre point with it running yet not increasing battery voltage.

Of course you have checked all terminals and connections....

*depending on the type of regulator this may not be a good idea but most should handle open circuit.

My 12v ES2 did this (Ammeter needle to the centre when running only) the point is that ignition only, especially on points uses a minute amount of power. You may not notice the ever so slight discharge. Joe Lucas took the blame for my lack of charge when in fact it should have been Boyer. The power box failed. I would assume that it was the rectifier element of the box that failed as none charging of the battery is or can be associated with a failed rectifier, Others may know better.

A new power box intended for another project (A long running saga) fixed the problem after everything else was changed or tested. I now know that Boyer can fail beyond repair.

Hope this helps.