1957 OC-4 Ammeter issue.

[boltzie42]

I recently acquired a 1957 OC-4 that is in great shape.  I cleaned the engine and all other components under the hood and replaced all the wires.  I have a question about the Ammeter Gauge.  

The Ammeter was not showing a charge or discharge before the rewire and still isn't showing anything.  The previous owner had the battery terminals hooked up backwards, as in not connecting the wires as a positive ground system.  I just read in the manual that before starting the engine, I have to polarize the generator by "momentarily connecting a jumper lead between the "GEN" and "BAT" terminals on the voltage regulator.  This operation allows a flash of current to flow through the generator field winding which will correctly polarize the generator with respect to the battery.  This procedure must be followed before the engine is started.  Failure to perform the above operation may cause damage to the generator or voltage regulator."  

Can someone please tell me which terminal is the "GEN" terminal and the "BAT" terminal?  My manual states to jump the "BAT" to the "GEN".  The above states "To polarize  externally grounded  Field type generators, (A circuit)  wire everything up and simple  "flash" between  "B"  (battery)  and A/G  (armature) terminal on the regulator"  So....this leads me to believe the "A" terminal is the "GEN" terminal referenced in my manual.  Is this correct?

And....the manual says to "momentarily connect a jumper between the "GEN" and "BAT" terminals before starting" to polarize the generator.  When the jumper is connected between the two terminals, am I supposed to turn the key and not start the engine, then remove the jumper?  Will this effectively flash current?  Or.....does the jumper need to stay in place while I start the engine?  The manual is not very clear on this.

Thanks.

[John Schwiebert]

All you need to do is touch the wire to the terminals. YOU do NOT leave the wire hooked up. It is a momentary flash of a blue spark.  Some regulators have 3 terminals some have four with one being underneath the regulator The 2 on the generator will be A & F or FLD and GEN. Check which set of terminals you have on the regulator and also the number of the regulator and get back with us.

[boltzie42]

I have 3 terminals on the regulator.  I couldn't make out if they were labeled on the regulator.  The Battery terminal is on the top and the two wires that go to the 'F' and 'A' terminals on the generator are on the bottom of the regulator.  I can trace the wires on from the generator to the bottom of the regulator.  What does the 'F' terminal wire on the generator go to on the regulator?  I'm assuming the 'B' is for Battery on the regulator and is located on the top. 

Also, I'd like to post some pictures on here once I have it finished for winter.  I'm planning on painting and placing new decals on it next summer.  It really is a neat machine and I still laugh when I read the manual about the detail that is explained on how to fix these machines.

Thanks.

[Jethrow]

The Oliver OC3 Service Manual schematic is showing:

    F terminal on the generator goes to the F terminal on the voltage regulator
    G terminal on the generator goes to the G terminal on the voltage regulator
       
    The 3rd terminal on the voltage regulator (brown) goes to the ammeter.

Hope this helps, else I can post the schematic.

Jethrow