1955-generator light flickers

[Yuda]

Generator light flickers at normal idle, will go out with increase idle speed, belt is tight.

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[ICON 56]

How old are the belts?

 

[Tom Alpers]

Generator light flickers at normal idle, will go out with increase idle speed, belt is tight.

Sounds normal to me. In my experience the flicker dividing line is about 700 rpm. Below and it will probably be flickering, above that and it probably will not. This low output at idle is one of the reasons generators were replaced with alternators.

 

[Docj]

If it's bothersome, you could always adjust the idle.

 

[doug7740]

The generator light flickering at idle is not normal. My 1955 Thunderbird is still 6-volt, positive ground and has a generator, as soon as I start the engine the generator light goes off. My idle speed is set to 650 rpms. Instead of increasing your idle speed, you need to adjust the cutout relay in your voltage regulator.

The voltage regulator is composed of three relays mounted as an assembly. Each relay has a set of contact points and an energizing coil for operating the points, and each relay performs a separate function to maintain control of the generator. The cutout relay prevents the battery from being discharged through the generator armature to ground when the engine is off. When the engine starts, the voltage induced in the generator armature, forces current through the energizing coils of the cut-out relay. At approximately 6 volts, the cut-out relay points close and current can flow from the generator to the external load.



The cut-out relay is adjusted by bending the adjusting arm upward to increase the voltage required to close the points, or by bending the adjusting arm downward to decrease the voltage required to close the points.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[SHA BOP]

My 55 is 6 volt, as well. I had several issues with the generator and regulator. I purchased a 6 volt alternator in the old style generator housing to appear original. Now at idle, my battery charges at 7 volts. It has never been any more issues. The alternator does not need a separate voltage regulator but I left it installed to appear original. It has no use to the charging system with an alternator.

 

[DynoDan55]

I haven’t seen the need, since I’m typically hooked up to a charger when garaged, but 6V solid state regulator conversion is available. Those with excessive/add-on accessory loads should likely go the alternator route though.