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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: eddieboy on April 12, 2011, 10:40:55 AM

Title: 4106 Generator question
Post by: eddieboy on April 12, 2011, 10:40:55 AM
1962 PD4106, I am about to get her on the road.  I have a generator light on until I flip the main blower fan on.  Once the blower is running, the gen light goes out.  I'm wondering if the blower is completing the ground to make the generator see a good load.  The batteries are pretty much toast.  They won't keep a good charge even from an external charger.  In fact, I can jump the engine with my Dodge Ram 1500 and she atarts right up. Any theories?  Thanks for the help.
Ed
Title: Re: 4106 Generator question
Post by: eddiepotts on April 12, 2011, 10:51:02 AM
Most people on here say it will not energize until it sees a load. Try just turning your running lights on with out the blower and see if it makes it turn off also.
Title: Re: 4106 Generator question
Post by: eddieboy on April 12, 2011, 10:57:18 AM
I did have other things running and only the big blower motor made the light go off.  Everything else kept on working, so I don't think it is shorting anything out.  Blower runs fine as well.
Title: Re: 4106 Generator question
Post by: gus on April 12, 2011, 03:17:19 PM
If you have the original 300 amp generator it needs a pretty good size load to produce. My relay clicks on and off until I turn on the blower, which is a huge motor, or unless all the lights are on or the batteries are very low.

If your batteries are about shot they sometimes will still take a "surface charge" which makes the gen think they are charged.
Title: Re: 4106 Generator question
Post by: TedsBUSted on April 12, 2011, 05:38:04 PM
Careful!
With  cooked batteries, and loads like the blower stopping and starting, the system voltage could spike up in the range of popping every  light bulb that's energized. You should install at least one good battery, even if it's just a garden tractor battery or a jumper pack.
Title: Re: 4106 Generator question
Post by: Barn Owl on April 12, 2011, 07:57:52 PM
My gen light will come on with little to no load and a full charge. Scared the crap out of me in the middle of TX one time at the begging of my trip. Thanks to this board I remembered to turn on a load to see if it would go out......It did!