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
