1954 Cub Battery Problem And Generator Help Needed

[TOOLMAN]

Hello
I just aquired a 1954 Cub and I am not sure if the charging system is working. When I 1st brought her home the amp meter was bouncing up and down at 3/4 speed now the amp meter is always on the discharge side snice I charged the Battery.
I did disconnect the battery and polarized the generator with sort jumper wire
No luck still showing on the discharge side of the amp meter with no lights or power draw on.
Question
Could I have charged the battery to much?
It shows 7volts post to volt off and 7volts on.
I was running the motor and tried to disconnect one of the battery cables to see if would stay running and it did not. Does this charging system work like a normal alternator and still power the lights and engine even if disconnected from the battery?
If not how should I test the generator or the regulator?
I tried to test the voltage across the to connectors on top of the generator thinking I would get 7volts but there was nothing (could this be because I had the charger still hooked up? and battery was fully charged and regulator was need sending any voltage to battery?
I think I am on the right track but I am not use to a 6 volt possitive ground system.
Thanks ahead of time and Thanks for letting me join this fine group.
Tony

[Bigdog]

Ground the generator F (field) terminal and measure the voltage at the A terminal on the generator to ground. (can also measure this at the regulator Gen terminal.) This effectively takes the regulator out of the circuit and puts the generator at full output. You should read about 7 to 7 1/2 volts at half throttle and above. If it does, then check out the regulator. Remove the cover and look at the contacts. They may be pitted or burned. If the output is still bouncing all over, check the generator brushes. They are most likely worn down.

[John(videodoc)]

Well, that is a good question. One that is clearly beyond me @ this point.

However you would like to welcome you to the best tractor site on the web. The guys willbe along with a more formal welcome and answer to question in a bit. Just hang in there, you'll get it figured out.

JOhn

[TOOLMAN]

Bigdog Thanks
when you say ground the F terminal you mean any where to the frame correct?
which in this case would by positive?
Also
If the regulator is pitted can I just clean the contacts
or will I throw It out of wack and not have the right voltage anymore
Should I just order a new one?
Thanks again
Toolman

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

In addititon to what BD said, haveng little or no output at the generator with the charger hooked up is possible. the regulator sences the battery voltage and uses the F lead to control the generator output accordingly.

[Bigdog]

If the contacts are not severly pitted or burned you can burnish them up and use the regulator you have provided that it is not damaged otherwise. They can be adjusted.

[Buzzard Wing]

I believe the F means Field.