Generator question

I'm trying to figure out how to correctly wire my BN since the generator was rebuilt, and appears to have been rewired.

First, I don't understand what the relay box does...regulation to prevent overcharging of the battery I'm assuming? But then what's the point of having a H/L switch on the "instrument panel?"

The generator field terminal is connected to a resistor on the field terminal of the relay box. The A terminal of the generator is connected to a terminal underneath the relay box. Next to the field terminal on the relay box are two other terminals that don't have any markings on them. These two terminals were connected to wires that went into the old cloth harness.

As I recall, when the generator was rebuilt a few years ago, it was hooked up in such a way that the switch on the "instrument panel" was excluded from the charging circuit as a quick fix.

I see what should be connected to what, but the "new" relay is confusing me since it has (with pulley facing left) three terminals on the edge, one of which has a resistor on it, and one terminal in the center of the bottom of the box.

The BN manual says to connect the field terminal of the generator directly to the instrument panel switch.

Thanks.

ffolkes

I saw a post that said a regulator has 3 or 4 terminals, and more than one coil inside. I took the cover off, and it has two coils, and 4 terminals. So I guess that means it's a regulator, which would explain why the switch was exluded from the charging circuit. Since the generator is regulating itself, shouldn't there just be one connection that goes to the negative terminal (since it's positive ground) of the battery then? Which of the two unused terminals should I use?

I want the ammeter to work, so should I connect one side of the meter to the starter lug (which is just an easier way to get to the negative terminal of the battery) and connect the other side of the meter to the output of the generator? Obviously the headlights need power via the switch, so is it safe to connect the switch to the terminal of the ammeter that has the generator output, as is shown in the manual?

Thanks.

ffolkes

The BAT terminal should go to the ammeter, and the other side of the ammeter should have the connection to the battery.

What is the "L" terminal for?

Thanks.

ffolkes

Since the ammeter is showing the charge being put out by the generator, shouldn't the needle change? Before I started this restoration project, the needle would always be at 10 (less if the throttle was lower), even with a new fully charged battery and 3 hours of high throttle. Shouldn't the regulator have reduced the current going to the battery, and thus made the ammeter show a lower charge instead of always being 10 amps?

Thanks.

ffolkes