Original Model A Cutout -

I found a Generator that still had a mechanical Cutout on it, so I decided to make a #short video showing how the Engineers at Fords made it do what it should.
Enjoy!

[@michaelcherry8952]

Thank you for this. I find it amazing how sophisticated the older solutions were to challenges like this. In the Model A era, solid state diodes that could handle the current simply didn't exist. This mechanical solution is very clever. I appreciate your demonstration and careful explanation. I've always wondered how a generator cutout actually works. I am wondering no longer!

[@AstraWerke]

I was quite intrigued by the amount of thought that went into this device, myself... Which is why I made a video about it :D Glad you enjoyed.

[@elljon1]

Great video! Thanks!

[@rordorica]

Very interesting and explicit, great video.

[@flivverchannel]

Appreciate the detailed explanation and demonstration. Thanks!

[@myronjacobs5014]

Perfectly explained! You are the best and know your theory 👍🏼🤝🙏

[@Bbbuddy]

Thanks for another edifying video. More than I knew about cutouts, and I’ve owned Model A cars for 30 years.

[@pablo4015]

Muy bueno,

[@skategeezer1810]

Another great video. 😊

[@chrisrhodes5464]

Any news about your engine rebuild

[@AstraWerke]

Not a good topic right now

[@michaelcherry8952]

@@AstraWerke Very sorry to hear that. 😔 I sincerely hope that whatever issues are causing problems with the rebuild will be resolved soon.

[@alexiskai]

7.3V for the closing voltage seems a little high, doesn't it?

[@AstraWerke]

I thought it makes sense because a fully charged battery would be around 7.2-7.4V, so having the closing voltage thereabouts would make sure that even a charged battery wouldn't be able to make the generator spin when not in use. If need be, the contact springs can be bent to adjust opening and closing voltage.

[@alexiskai]

​@@AstraWerke No, a 6V lead-acid battery at 100% charge should put out 6.3-6.4V. That's why they're called 6V batteries and not 7V batteries. I have two Optima 6V batteries on the shelf, fully charged, and they both register 6.4V. 7.2V is a very common *charging* voltage for solid-state battery chargers, but remember that the generator isn't just charging the battery, it's also in-circuit with all the electrical apparatus. You don't want to over-volt the lights. That's why most sources state that the cutout should close at about 6.5V.

[@AstraWerke]

@@alexiskaiOh, there are instructions for these? I guess that's what you get for making an explanatory video before reading into anything xD

[@steveblancard5566]

Adrian - great explanation, I always enjoy your videos. But as mentioned, point closure voltage should be around 6.5 - 6.75 volts. I've refurbished a lot of original ford cutouts and this where I set them. I also run one on my model A. Maybe you've seen my video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ_Ypp54mq9pkNU

[@edkorff7563]

Is this not a voltage regulator? In holland we call it a spanningsregelaar. By the way you have one of my favourit KZbin channels. It is very nice to watch with the music and the humour.😂

[@AstraWerke]

Well, it's a primitive ancestor of the voltage regulator. More like a voltage difference sensor with built-in cutout.

[@stevescott6634]

Hi Astra l hope you can sort your model A out. I’m in the uk and looking at a 1930 Tudor built in Denmark do you know if there are any colour paint charts that have been recorded? Thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍

[@AstraWerke]

According to one of our club members, the colors used were the same as in the US, sometimes a little longer or shorter, depending how long the reserves lasted.

[@stevescott6634]

@@AstraWerke Thank you so much for the quick reply 👍

[@roten2902]

verstehe es nicht ganz aber danke fürs zeigen...😉👍👍👍

[@AstraWerke]

Im Wesentlichen überprüft das Ding zwei Werte: 1. Die Ausgangsspannung des Generators (gegen Masse) 2. Die Spannungsdifferenz zwischen Generator und Batterie. Damit der Kontakt sich schließt, muss der Generator zunächst über 7V kommen, damit er geschlossen bleibt, muss der Spannungswert vom Generator höher sein, als der der Batterie - in anderen Worten, es muss Strom vom Generator in die Batterie fließen. Ist eine der beiden Bedingungen nicht mehr erfüllt, öffnet sich der Regler wieder.

[@roten2902]

@@AstraWerke ah jetzt habe ich das verstanden, das macht heute bestimmt das steuergerät...😉