Weak Charging?

802PG

I have a brand new battery installed in a new to me 1980 along with new battery cables. I was going over the cart and noticed that the battery doesn't seem to be charging very much when running. Searching on the forum I found that it should be around 14 volts when charging (as I expected), but I am only seeing about 0.50 volts over nominal battery voltage when running. For example, 12.4 VDC engine off, 12.9 VDC engine running.

I tried disconnecting the green wire and grounding it to test the voltage regulator based on the information here. If the engine runs without the green wire grounded, the battery voltage will drop below 12.0 VDC, but as soon as I ground it, it comes back up to 12.9 again. It seems I have charge coming from the generator, but it doesn't seem like enough?

Should I just try a new voltage regulator and see if it brings things up to snuff?

BGW

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

wicked872

if you ground the green wire and the generator is working it should peg the meter, if it doesn,t sounds like the generator.

my1423

Check your brushes and the guides and springs.
If the brushes are worn far enough the springs with bottom out on the guides and not press the brushes onto the commutator.
Then you get a partial connection and very little amperage.
Check them all.
Also look closely at the commutator for burns rough spots or missing copper.
Bad brushes can burn it. If you do have damage you may need to dismantle the generator in order to fix it but Light emry cloth can do wonders pushed down through the brush holder and then spin the unit.
If there is missing copper, some will skip over, little worse will need a little solder. Beyond that brazing or sent to a rework shop.