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07-18-2018, 09:21 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Westphalia, Texas
Posts: 27
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New generator or rebuilt?
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.
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07-18-2018, 09:30 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Posts: 2,112
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Re: New generator or rebuilt?
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.
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07-18-2018, 10:16 PM | #3 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Westphalia, Texas
Posts: 27
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Re: New generator or rebuilt?
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.
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07-18-2018, 10:18 PM | #4 | |
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Location: Southern California
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Re: New generator or rebuilt?
Quote:
Charlie Stephens |
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07-18-2018, 10:41 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island
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Re: New generator or rebuilt?
No one?!
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07-18-2018, 11:18 PM | #6 |
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Location: Portland OR
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Re: New generator or rebuilt?
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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.
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07-18-2018, 11:27 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
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Re: New generator or rebuilt?
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.
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07-19-2018, 12:04 AM | #8 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Westphalia, Texas
Posts: 27
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Re: New generator or rebuilt?
Thanks Tom. I'll take a look.
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07-19-2018, 12:24 AM | #9 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Westphalia, Texas
Posts: 27
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Re: New generator or rebuilt?
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.
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07-19-2018, 12:25 AM | #10 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Westphalia, Texas
Posts: 27
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Re: New generator or rebuilt?
I do plan on doing that battery charger test first though.
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07-19-2018, 08:09 AM | #11 | |
Senior Member
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Re: New generator or rebuilt?
Quote:
Should be cheaper to have it rebuilt, cheaper still to do it yourself. Problem is most likely the field or third brush section.
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