Overcharging generator (730 gas)

Therefore, maybe the wire from the field post on the generator to the FLD terminal on the VR is shorted???

If not, totally disconnect that wire from the gens field terminal and see if when runnign it still charges high rate??? If it does, there may be a shorted field wire inside the generator. If it does not, the regulator may be bad or have an internal short inside or the relay is stuck in the high charge (dead ground) position.

For now, I suspect more of a bad regulator (relay stuck) or a shorted field wire inside the generator (depending on test results above) other than any sort of adjustments you might try. A bad battery can also cause excess constant charging, and once they have been overcharged and cooked, they are shot.

John T Nordhoff in Indiana

~If it quits charging you should then make sure the [BAT] & [L] wires aren't hooked to the wrong terminals on the voltage regulator. [to check, pull both the [L] wire & [BAT] wire from the regulator & the [BAT] wire should have 12 volts & the [L] wire should have 0 volts. If they are connected wrong re-connect them properly, then re-try the it for an overcharge condition.

~If the above checks out ok put a voltmeter across your battery(s) posts & see what the charging voltage is at fast idle HOT. Depending on your battery type it should be somewhere around 13.8-14 volts... 14.2 volts won't hurt it if it has an automotive sealed type battery.

~If all the above is ok you probably have a bad or sulfated battery(s). OR, you have 2 mismatched batteries [if using 2 batteries].

~If the charging voltage is much over 14 volts you have a couple of choices.
-The first is to adjust your voltage regulator, that can be a time consuming endeavor. You will also need a good voltmeter to do it.
-The second option is to just replace the voltage regulator.

~If you decide to adjust the regulator you can try fooling with the field points to get it to charge lower but that can actually make it worse. Those current limiting regulators are a little touchy to adjust.

~The correct way to set that regulator is fairly involved & will take a while. If you still want to adjust it post back & I will E-Mail you rather long adjustment procedure...