New generator or rebuilt?

[Dave1929]

My 1929 model A generator is not working. It will motor but does not put out any voltage. My question is should I take my generator to a shop and get it rebuilt or should I just buy a new generator? My old generator field coil has shorted to ground somewhere I think. Should I just replace the field coils? Advice please.

[Marshall V. Daut]

Try by-passing the cutout by running a test wire between the two cutout terminals while the engine is running and revved up a little. If the ammeter then shows a charge, it's the cutout at fault. If no charge registers, the generator needs attention, possibly only a good sanding of the armature. Because the generator will motor, you might be o.k.
Marshall

[Dave1929]

By passing the cutout was the first thing I did. I took the generator off the car and took it apart. Cleaned everything up and sanded the inner magnets and armature. I tested the armature with an ohm meter and it tested good with no short to ground. The field coil tested almost zero resistance between field lean and ground which leads me to believe there is a direct short to ground. There should be a lot more resistance. Rebuild myself, take to a shop or buy a new one. That is the question.

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by Dave1929

My 1929 model A generator is not working. It will motor but does not put out any voltage. My question is should I take my generator to a shop and get it rebuilt or should I just buy a new generator? My old generator field coil has shorted to ground somewhere I think. Should I just replace the field coils? Advice please.

I didn't know anyone was making a new generator. Who sells a new generator?

Charlie Stephens

[Gary WA]

No one?!

[redmodelt]

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There are guys that can rebuild it. I was going to suggest the sticky notes above, but frankly there are just too many pages to go thru. Maybe some one will step up and suggest dome people that can do it.

Also check on ebay for rebuilt units, be sure to check feedback before you buy.


While taking it too someplace that repairs them, many do not understand the three brush system any more.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I've posted lots of pictures and information on rebuilding a generator. Try searching my name and "generator". A battery charger set on 6 volts and connected to ground and the field wire should show about 4 to 5 amps. If it draws more than that, then the windings are shorted.

[Dave1929]

Thanks Tom. I'll take a look.

[Dave1929]

Tom I have found and read a lot of your stuff online. Thank you for posting all the information. My generator will motor but I do still think that I may have a short in the field coil. I think it's possible that the short is bad enough that it won't gen but just good enough to motor. I think I will just buy replacement field windings and go from there.

[Dave1929]

I do plan on doing that battery charger test first though.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Dave1929

My 1929 model A generator is not working. It will motor but does not put out any voltage. My question is should I take my generator to a shop and get it rebuilt or should I just buy a new generator? My old generator field coil has shorted to ground somewhere I think. Should I just replace the field coils? Advice please.

Should be cheaper to have it rebuilt, cheaper still to do it yourself. Problem is most likely the field or third brush section.