Another 'tupid question. This time on a generator.

[moondisc]

One for the old guys.
How do you polarize a generator?
I use to know, then CRS set in.

[slocrow]

One for the old guys.
How do you polarize a generator?
I use to know, then CRS set in.

Ya know it's been a while and CRS has also set in here but that having been said, if I remember correctly we use to spark the voltage regulator that was usually mounted on a inner fender. It had three terminals and we would cause an arc or spark by grounding the center one with the right one. I can't remember what those tabs are labeled. If I'm incorrect someone here will correct me but that was the general idea. When we couldn't remember which to spark we'd do both ends although a spark would only happen with one set.........

[Ohio Blue Tip]

One for the old guys.
How do you polarize a generator?
I use to know, then CRS set in.

To polarize a generator, momentarily touch a jumper wire between the (GEN) terminal and the (BATT) terminal at the regulator.  Then start the engine and you should be set.

Old guy.  :mrgreen:

[moondisc]

Old guys with better memories than me!
Thanks guys.

[paul2748]

If I remember correctly, you take the field wire off the regulator and touch it momentarily to the battery terminal on the regulator.  You will get a spark but that is ok.

[Skip]

One for the old guys.
How do you polarize a generator?
I use to know, then CRS set in.

To polarize a generator, momentarily touch a jumper wire between the (GEN) terminal and the (BATT) terminal at the regulator.  Then start the engine and you should be set.

Old guy.  :mrgreen:

there's two ways to polarize a regulator and it depends on the type of generator you have that determins which way is correct.  (in some systems, the field is grounded to make the generator charge, in others vaotage is applied to the fields to make the generator charge)

One type, you jumper the BAT to the ARM, the other type you jumper the FLD to the BAT.

[Bruce Dorsi]

there's two ways to polarize a regulator and it depends on the type of generator you have that determins which way is correct.  (in some systems, the field is grounded to make the generator charge, in others vaotage is applied to the fields to make the generator charge)

One type, you jumper the BAT to the ARM, the other type you jumper the FLD to the BAT.

Skip, how do you know which type you have?  ..... Can you tell the difference visually, or must you look inside the regulator, or ?

[Skip]

Skip, how do you know which type you have?  ..... Can you tell the difference visually, or must you look inside the regulator, or ?[/quote]

Stick a volt meter on the field terminal when the engine's running.
If there's voltage there, you have an internally-grounded generator and the regulator is applying voltage to the field to control the output of the generator.

If it's an externally-grounded field, there won't be voltage on the field terminal and grounding it will cause the generator to run wide open.  Externally grounded field generators are polarized by jumpering BAT to ARM.

FWIW, the CORRECT way to polarize an internally-grounded field generator is to REMOVE THE FIELD WIRE FROM THE REGULATOR AND TOUCH IT TO THE BATTERY WIRE.  ...then put it back.

[Bruce Dorsi]

Thanks, Skip!  

I learned something new today, thanks to you!

[moondisc]

I learned something new today, thanks to you!

Me too. I learned that mine is internally grounded.
Thanks Skip. You da man!  

[slocrow]

Thanks Skip. Never to old to learn............