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Lights flickering at speed 444-544 1962

1962 544 B18 (12v) Noticed something odd last couple of trips as it got dark and turned lights on. Everything fine until I get up to steady 55-60 mph.
As I’m cruising along (smooth road) I notice lights are flickering - headlights, dash lights, everything - in unison are all doing a random flicker. They stay on but brightness fluctuates. No amp light during this.
As I slow down to about 50mph the flickering stops and the lights are steady and strong.
I tried the obvious of battery cables and fuses, seems fine. I could understand a bad connection or ground affecting one bulb but what would cause all the lights to do this in unison? Any thoughts?








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Phil;

In general terms, variation in the light can only be cause by a variation in the voltage they are powered by...and a Generator, with its Commutator and Brushes and Relay VReg can certainly be making those for any number of reasons, and this is somewhat normal...BUT... since there is a HUGE chemical battery connected to the system power buss, in which chemistry and state of charge is responsible for the voltage, and this simply cannot instantly change, I'd say that either the Batt is not well connected OR has a open cell...so due to this, the power system has lost the ability to filter out variations in voltage, and these are then able to be seen as the variations in headlight output...sorry for the long explanation, but this was not a yes or no question!

Bottom line...I'd measure the sys V RIGHT ACROSS BATT Terminals (NOT Clamps), and if it does NOT vary (dip) synchronized with the a dip in the headlights, I suspect a poor connection between Gen output (VReg D+) and Batt (make ALL fat cable connections shiny metal, snug, and protected with ACZP (See: https://www.sw-em.com/anti_corrosive_paste.htm ), OR...if Voltage does vary, Batt has developed an internal problem (likely an open)...perform Batt tests! OR...if older than 4 years, simply replace it...

Good Hunting...let us know what you find, and solution!



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Thanks for the great ideas already. Lots to check. I am running a generator.
Battery new last summer, and charging system was gone thru by a very good auto electrician then, because I was having VR issues and intermittent amp light condition, he got that sorted and said the gen was good at that point, maybe putting out a little on the high side but not an issue, I think he mentioned.
It might have been doing this all along but until I drove it in the dark this spring I hadn’t noticed it.
I can take it back to the shop and get his ideas too, but I thought I’d start with getting some ideas here!

Thanks again, everyone!



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Phil,
In your initial post you report that the problem occurs relative to car speed. But some of the responses refer to problems that might arise relative to RPM. With the car parked in neutral, have you wound up the RPMs to a level equal to or greater than what it would be at highway speed? It would be good to know if the problem is triggered by elevated RPM or elevated MPH.



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I'd suspect brush bounce and maybe the armature wants recutting. The insulators between each segment may be clogged up with copper dust. As a brush gets shorter the spring pressure gets less and less.



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Voltage regulator or generator brushes springs. You also have to polarize the generator to the voltage regulator. Burnt voltage regulator contacts do get pitted and fail to transfer load. Your can open the VR and visually check the contacts. Check the condition of your battery also.



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The length of the carbon brush is also important for the spring to apply tension firmly. The carbon brush dust can also clogged up the ability for the brush to slide against the generators armature. Just lift the brush spring and see if the carbon brush slides easily.
.



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I had an old Ford truck that did the same thing. In my case it was the headlight wiring that ran behind the grill and was getting pushed against some metal when the wind speed approached 60mph. It was an old fabric wire harness that finally wore through. Start the engine, turn on the headlights, and start shaking wiring everywhere. Could be loose on the generator, or voltage regulator, or firewall fuse block.



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Are you running an alternator or generator ?

Ray J.



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