The Ford Barn

Cape Codder · 05-14-2016, 09:46 AM

Have a running generator which was on the car. Started to smoke so I removed it and replaced with a known good generator. Question: Is the generator unrepairable? What checks can I make now to determine what is wrong?

Bob C · 05-14-2016, 09:51 AM

Just refill it.

Bob

Rowdy · 05-14-2016, 09:51 AM

Check the armerature with a growler and check the communtator with a multimeter from the segments to the shaft. There should be no continuity. Also check the field coils and make sure none are grounded. Rod

Tom Wesenberg · 05-14-2016, 10:12 AM

Remove the field ground from the case, then use an ohm meter or continuity tester to make sure the field windings aren't grounded to the case. Then reconnect the ground and connect a battery charger + to the case and - to the field wire that goes to the adjustable brush. The battery charger (6 volt) should show about 4 to 5 amps draw. This will tell you the field windings are OK, but you need a growler to check the armature.

Most likely the generator was putting out very high voltage due to a bad connection between the generator and battery. If you use an electronic voltage regulator, a bad connection isn't going to smoke the generator, but without an EVR the generator will run wild without the battery to control the voltage.

Cape Codder · 05-14-2016, 10:12 AM

Rowdy - Thanks very much for your response. Appreciate the information.

Cape Codder · 05-14-2016, 10:23 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Tom Wesenberg - And Thanks to you also for the information. Off to the garage to check it out. Sure appreciate your response.

Cape Codder · 05-14-2016, 11:45 AM

Well I opened up the case of the generator and found this. I also noted a VERY distinct order of burned electrical wiring or...........

Cape Codder · 05-15-2016, 12:47 PM

I thought I would have gotten a few comments of advice from the picture I attached.
Any one?

Tom Wesenberg · 05-15-2016, 01:10 PM

I wrote something but it didn't post. The picture is a little out of focus, and I can't tell much from it. I would have it tested on a growler. Also use an ohm meter to see if the commutator has contact to ground. There should be NO contact between any commutator bar and the shaft.

jax55 · 05-15-2016, 06:21 PM

I can't really tell from the picture either, but was the armature hitting the field coil or core?
If you lost a bearing or bushing, it would allow the contact, smoke and noise.
If it was not hitting, follow Tom's tests... even if you do find the contact, do the other tests too.

Cape Codder · 05-15-2016, 07:59 PM

Thanks to Tom and jax55. I actually agree with you guys about the picture not being focused but........it was the best one of several I took. Maybe I need to fix the camera first LOL!!! I will do what you guys suggested tomorrow.
Thanks again!

05-14-2016, 09:46 AM	#1
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,261	Smoking generator Have a running generator which was on the car. Started to smoke so I removed it and replaced with a known good generator. Question: Is the generator unrepairable? What checks can I make now to determine what is wrong?

05-14-2016, 09:51 AM	#3
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Smoking generator Check the armerature with a growler and check the communtator with a multimeter from the segments to the shaft. There should be no continuity. Also check the field coils and make sure none are grounded. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

05-14-2016, 10:12 AM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Smoking generator Remove the field ground from the case, then use an ohm meter or continuity tester to make sure the field windings aren't grounded to the case. Then reconnect the ground and connect a battery charger + to the case and - to the field wire that goes to the adjustable brush. The battery charger (6 volt) should show about 4 to 5 amps draw. This will tell you the field windings are OK, but you need a growler to check the armature. Most likely the generator was putting out very high voltage due to a bad connection between the generator and battery. If you use an electronic voltage regulator, a bad connection isn't going to smoke the generator, but without an EVR the generator will run wild without the battery to control the voltage.

05-14-2016, 10:12 AM	#5
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,261	Re: Smoking generator Rowdy - Thanks very much for your response. Appreciate the information.

05-14-2016, 10:23 AM	#6
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,261	Re: Smoking generator Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Tom Wesenberg - And Thanks to you also for the information. Off to the garage to check it out. Sure appreciate your response.

05-15-2016, 12:47 PM	#8
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,261	Re: Smoking generator I thought I would have gotten a few comments of advice from the picture I attached. Any one?

05-15-2016, 01:10 PM	#9
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Smoking generator I wrote something but it didn't post. The picture is a little out of focus, and I can't tell much from it. I would have it tested on a growler. Also use an ohm meter to see if the commutator has contact to ground. There should be NO contact between any commutator bar and the shaft.

05-15-2016, 06:21 PM	#10
jax55 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca Posts: 329	Re: Smoking generator I can't really tell from the picture either, but was the armature hitting the field coil or core? If you lost a bearing or bushing, it would allow the contact, smoke and noise. If it was not hitting, follow Tom's tests... even if you do find the contact, do the other tests too.

05-15-2016, 07:59 PM	#11
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,261	Re: Smoking generator Thanks to Tom and jax55. I actually agree with you guys about the picture not being focused but........it was the best one of several I took. Maybe I need to fix the camera first LOL!!! I will do what you guys suggested tomorrow. Thanks again!