The Ford Barn

macdonge · 08-24-2022, 02:15 PM

Electrical gurus please chime in. I bought a recently rebuilt 2-brush generator and set it up on my engine test stand to check it out (after polarizing per the usual procedure). It didn't appear to be charging so I brought it in to a local shop for testing. They called a while ago to say it charges just fine (up to 30 A output)... but only if it's run CCW!

Ideas?

supereal · 08-24-2022, 02:21 PM

Like many others, I installed an alternator on my car. It eliminated the old voltage regulator, and handles heavier loads of bright headlights and accessories.

Brian · 08-24-2022, 03:05 PM

Are the field wires reversed?

macdonge · 08-24-2022, 05:31 PM

My thinking was that didn't matter, i.e. the polarizing exercise would take care of that.

ndnchf · 08-25-2022, 08:28 AM

Is this a positive ground car? The generator needs to be polarized to match the system.

macdonge · 08-25-2022, 04:02 PM

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Negative ground. I think I’ll try re-polarizing & reinstall it.

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Karl Wolf · 08-25-2022, 06:05 PM

You could check it by seeing if it motors.
Hook up a live battery to the armature connection, and the field
to positive side of the battery. Connect the negative side of the
battery to the generator body- ground. The generator should spin.

Karl

08-24-2022, 02:15 PM	#1
macdonge Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Frelighsburg, QC Posts: 166	Need generator advice Electrical gurus please chime in. I bought a recently rebuilt 2-brush generator and set it up on my engine test stand to check it out (after polarizing per the usual procedure). It didn't appear to be charging so I brought it in to a local shop for testing. They called a while ago to say it charges just fine (up to 30 A output)... but only if it's run CCW! Ideas?

08-24-2022, 02:21 PM	#2
supereal Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Re: Need generator advice Like many others, I installed an alternator on my car. It eliminated the old voltage regulator, and handles heavier loads of bright headlights and accessories.

08-24-2022, 03:05 PM	#3
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,834	Re: Need generator advice Are the field wires reversed? __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

08-24-2022, 05:31 PM	#4
macdonge Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Frelighsburg, QC Posts: 166	Re: Need generator advice My thinking was that didn't matter, i.e. the polarizing exercise would take care of that.

08-25-2022, 08:28 AM	#5
ndnchf Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 764	Re: Need generator advice Is this a positive ground car? The generator needs to be polarized to match the system.

08-25-2022, 04:02 PM	#6
macdonge Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Frelighsburg, QC Posts: 166	Re: Need generator advice Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Negative ground. I think I’ll try re-polarizing & reinstall it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-25-2022, 06:05 PM	#7
Karl Wolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,Ca. Posts: 1,509	Re: Need generator advice You could check it by seeing if it motors. Hook up a live battery to the armature connection, and the field to positive side of the battery. Connect the negative side of the battery to the generator body- ground. The generator should spin. Karl