WW2 Jeep Generator Repair- Let's Fix that Charging System/Shoptime #39

[@MatelotsousMarin]

Great explanation Patrick. I was ready to convert to a solid state electronic unit before I found the TM. It cost me a Saturday morning and I too nailed it. Be sure to keep your camera rolling when those Ladies arrive! Thanks, Peter

[@Portrayalpress]

Thank you Peter. I too found the TM invaluable....it does take a little study, but once the VR operation became clear (ish) in my mind, it was pretty easy to get everything adjusted. I was planning following on video with the bevy but alas....the only things that turned up to the party were me and the jeep....still not so bad ;-)

[@Tankflipper]

A good informative video, thank you. I am also an advocate that 6 Volts is great providing you have it set up

[@Portrayalpress]

Thanks Tank! Let's keep'em rolling!

[@ChristopherRunciman]

Straight talking, ( i.e. no bs!) loved it !

[@Portrayalpress]

Thank you sir! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jayturnbull3567]

My starter and generator were recently rebuilt. Like your voltage regulator, the output from generator to battery was over 8 volts. When I checked the long unused “original” battery in the vehicles when I began the total rebuild I realized it was 8 Volt. The shop doing the rebuilds reset the VR to recharge the standard 6 V battery. Perhaps the previous owner reset the VR to recharge the 8 V battery. Thanks for the manual tip. It is now ready for me if I need it to guide me through VR readjustment when I wake my Jeep up. Thanks for the great tips and repeating the very necessary access to the right manual. Highest Regards, JeePa.

[@Portrayalpress]

Thanks JeePa! Appreciate the kind comments...and good luck with the reawakening! Always exciting to hear these machines run again after a long slumber.

[@edstransitscott9186]

Great demonstration, good to know, glad it’s fixed, well done

[@Portrayalpress]

Thanks Eddie!

[@edstransitscott9186]

Portrayal Press Thanks, always watching

[@mygermanride9362]

Amazing Job. Thank you. Big help

[@Portrayalpress]

You are very welcome - it is what we are here for!

[@randallstewart8487]

Good video,good explanation on these charging systems and how to check and adjust,that manual would be handy on any six volt jeep,I have a 2A with same Generator but civilian regulator but I know the charging principals are the same,just a different shape between them,the MB is bigger,I like those better and wonder why willys didnt keep that style on the civilian model,at least through the 2A's! Thanks!

[@Portrayalpress]

Thank you Randall. Yes - the voltage regulator on the MB is a beautiful piece of engineering! I imagine they went with the later style because of cost....that progress thing! :-)

[@johnyearsley7970]

Thank you for explaining , brill. John

[@Portrayalpress]

You are very welcome John - thanks for watching and for commenting.

[@jeffgarcia3503]

Just a heads up i would pay attention to the flat bar with threaded holes they are usually stripped.

[@Portrayalpress]

Jeff - thinking you are talking about the Weasel....and the air drop brackets? If yes, thanks and I will check them carefully before I get too much further as now is an easy time to fix.

[@jeffgarcia3503]

Suspension brackets that bolt to the tub also

[@Portrayalpress]

@UCfewkvGqbXZyjTmbYczSBcg Thanks Jeff - I have a bit of work to do down there and I will make sure they are solid.

[@noobmcgoob1944]

My Jeep isn't charging. When running the battery voltage is 6.2v (same as when the engine is off). I've followed the instructions to polarize it (Arm - Bat) and saw a little blue spark but it still doesn't charge. There doesn't appear to be anything happening under the cover of the Regulator, nothing moves at all when the Jeep is running. Would it hurt to try and polarise the Gennie for type A ( externally grounded)??

[@Portrayalpress]

Start the jeep and get your voltmeter so it is clipped to the battery and giving you a readout. Make sure the front most (closest to radiator) relay is closed...this is the "cutout relay". Basically the on/off switch for the regulator/generator. If it isn't moving - manually close it - just push down on the part with the contact until it closes - may spark a bit. It should stay closed and things should start happening on the voltmeter. If it doesn't stay closed, then I would start by cleaning the contacts on all of the relays. You will be well served by getting the manual....very helpful in taking you through how it all works. www.portrayalpress.com/product-p/tm-9-1825b.htm

[@noobmcgoob1944]

@@Portrayalpress thanks for your reply. I'm may be wrong, but I think that relay is permanently closed (contacts touching eachother).

[@Portrayalpress]

That is not a good thing and can cause the generator to melt/a fire. You need to put the positive lead of your voltmeter to the ARM terminal of the generator (big one), the ground to the body of the generator. Then take a jumper and connect one end to the positive terminal of the battery. Start the jeep. Take the other side of that jumper and touch the Field post on the generator....you should see an ever increasing amount of volts on your voltmeter. Don't leave it on there long....just see if the volt number starts creeping up. The jeep should be a fast idle....maybe 1000 rpm (doesn't matter exactly, but have it running strongly). This will confirm that the generator is still working.

[@WatsonsWagons]

Awesome stuff brother

[@Portrayalpress]

Thank you!

[@andresfx1]

Thanks a lot Patrick, awesome series of videos. I wanted to ask for your help, please: cj3a 52, 12 volts Neg grounded system. At 1200-1400 rpms Generator shows above 20 volts and 30 amps, regulator and battery shows 14-15 volts and 5-6 amps, amp gauge doesn't even move. Battery is not charging. I replaced both regulator and gauge, nothing changed. What do you think I'm doing wrong? I appreciate your help...

[@Portrayalpress]

Glad you like them Andres. I have a couple of questions: 1. At 1200 rpm, what is the voltage at the battery? 2. When you get 20 volts & 30 amps - how are you measuring that? More specifically, is the generator connected to the VR? and what terminals are you connecting your voltimeter to get those readings? if you want to go email/call...send me your info to [e-mail] and we can try and figure this out....

[@paulrandazzo1391]

Hey Patrick great video. Maybe I missed it but an important fact, the generator will not put out unless the engine is turning about 900-1000 rpms (a high idle). Just sayin’. Thanks.

[@Portrayalpress]

Appreciate it Paul - yes - probably not clear in the video!

[@pantherplatform]

Wow. 9 slot recessed headlights

[@Portrayalpress]

Old school!

[@gramophoneFr]

I like to listen youre knoleges i only speak litle frech and spanish but i undertand i néed to learn to much

[@Portrayalpress]

Thank you for watching. We may try to put up some videos with Spanish subtitles.....para assistir nuestra amigos quien hablan Espanol.....

[@flyingtilliamdying]

Great video, right to the point, fun to watch, and exactly what I needed! I drove my GPW the other day and noticed the meter showing a draw with the lights on. I am thinking that is not normal. I noticed a wire tie with a lead seal on one of the bolts of the voltage regulator, so I assume that it means it has never been messed with. I think I will test my battery first since it is a 2018 cheap chain store model from the previous owner. Have a good day!

[@Portrayalpress]

Thanks JT and sorry for the slow response, I was offline for a bit. Glad you enjoyed the video. Indeed, the generator has the capability of putting out plenty so you should not be seeing a discharge with the lights on. You can purchase the lead seal but I agree...most likely not messed with. The battery probably should not cause the discharge with the lights on, but a fine place to start. I would also check the belt tension, then just start the jeep and at idle with no lights, get a reading at the battery.

[@flyingtilliamdying]

No worries on the late reply, the fact you made this video is more than enough help. So I found out my generator was rewired from its original circuit wiring so it would not work with the voltage regulator. Never knew that generators had two types of circuit wiring, one type B I think was common for war era jeeps, and A was post war era. So if your generator was an A circuit, it would not work work a voltage regulator that was war era for a B circuit generator. Did I explain that correctly?