Expert: jack bahm - 8/3/2009

Question
i purchased a 1931 roadster with a 331 caddillac engine has all the vintage parts including an old school car generator with the voltage regulator on the fire wall but the problem im having is the car sat for a few day so i decided to charge the battery then took it for a spin but once i turned the car of it killed my battery it would crank over but didnt have enought juice .. so i i recharged the battery checked the voltage read 12 volts turned the car on and it read 12 volts again so my question what do i need to check to have everything working properly?

Answer
You have the start of a hot rod, not a Model A.  I know the A, not the car you have.  If you have a generator, then you must have a cut-out.  The cut-out is a device that connects the gen. to the electrical system after the gen is puting out 12 volts or more.  Then the current runs into your battery.  When you shut off the engine, the cut-out has to disconnect the gen from the system, or the gen will act like a motor and want to run and drain your batt.  Cut-outs have a sticking prob, and that may be your problem.  My advice to you is to restore your car to a true Model A and have fun with it.  Sorry I can't be of much help to you, but you have a custom job there and only the builder would know for sure what to do.  A good shop should be able to figure it out and help you.
Good luck
jack