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05-24-2020, 09:56 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Upstate; The Real New York
Posts: 444
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Testing generators
Is it possible to bench test generators ???
I figured out a way to mount one to my Atlas lathe and mount a correct diameter pulley to a collet. I think I am headed in the right direction but would need to know the generator rpm and how to wire it. Then again I may be just Rube Goldberg'ing it toward failure. |
05-24-2020, 11:04 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Big pine Ca 93513
Posts: 797
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Re: Testing generators
I rigged up a 1 hp - single phase 115v motor and v belt to generator..worked good enough to get what i wanted to know..can just check with volt meter or can hook up battery and amp meter. if you have lots of energy...speed not to important as long as its fast..Mdl "A" up to 1938+_ gens are third brush so the faster they turn the less they put out..never run it in car not hooked up or wire grounded it will burn out..make sure you spin it in correct direction..One time the showed output on the bench but back in car it would not charge, so back on test stand ,I re-polarized it and that done the trick it worked great thereafter..sc
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05-24-2020, 11:20 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Sweden
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Re: Testing generators
Do you want to check how it performs as in how much it can put out like we do after a rebuild or do you want a quick way to find out if it works at all ?
A known good voltage regulator and a battery works for testing if it is alive...for performance you need a variable load like the old carbon stack testers. |
05-25-2020, 07:43 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Upstate; The Real New York
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Re: Testing generators
I would like to sort out a shelf full of generators and get rid of ones
that have no output. Need to find out the approximate rpm and a wiring diagram. |
05-25-2020, 11:46 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
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Re: Testing generators
The RPM would be anything above a fast idle. Pick a number, say 1500 RPM. The wiring diagram would be the same as the vehicle wiring. But early generators work with a cutout and the later with a voltage regulator.
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05-25-2020, 11:55 PM | #6 |
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Location: Sweden
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Re: Testing generators
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The so far slickest cobbled together testsetup i´ve seen was a cheap tablesaw with the blade changed to a pulley. A wooden V-block mounted to the table and a ratchet strap to hold the generator down. In with the generator lower the "blade" to tighten belt...push start |
05-26-2020, 09:48 AM | #7 | |
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,166
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Re: Testing generators
Quote:
Love it! |
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05-26-2020, 12:23 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mill Valley,Ca.
Posts: 1,509
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Re: Testing generators
Try motoring the gen.
This is done on a Ford by powering the armature connection and the field, ground the frame. If it spins as a motor, it'll work as a generator. Karl |
05-28-2020, 08:08 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Melbourne Australia
Posts: 541
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Re: Testing generators
^^^^^That's what we did when I was a young, green and simple auto elec!
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05-28-2020, 12:59 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,436
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Re: Testing generators
A guy I used to work for years ago would clip on a test light rig he fabricated and use a buffing wheel to turn the generator. If it lit the light up then it had some potential for rebuild or further testing for function.
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