Tech: Flathead 8BA Generator, not generating.

[ruttencutter]

Dug into my generator last night to see what could be done to make it generate again, and I'm at a loss.

Ran it over a growler, no problems. No shorts there at all.

The field windings are not grounded to the frame with the ground bolt removed.

Everything seems fine, but it won't generate when running. It was properly polarized when put back on the motor.

Any suggestions?

-Scott

[Bruce Lancaster]

Try motoring the generator to see for sure if it is sound.
Also, make sure it and the reg are gounded to each other and to car--there might just be too much paint at the G terminal and at bracket. Here's a site with motoring info and further tests:
http://www.356electrics.com/documents/NSGen.pdf

[Flat Ernie]

If you've got a good growler & know how to use it, then please don't take offense at what I'm about to type http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Check that your brushes aren't worn out, your commutator is clean, and your voltage regulator points are clean & square.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[mtflat]

.........and make sure you're running the engine at 1500 rpms or more. The generator doesn't put out much below that.

[ruttencutter]

We growled it, and everything seemed fine. Also ran the rpm's high and still no voltage coming out of the gen.

commutator is nice and clean, and we are trying to test without a regulator at the moment.

I'm really at a loss as to what to check next.

-S

[burndup]

got a link about where i could read up on what a "growler" is?

[Flat Ernie]

[ QUOTE ]
got a link about where i could read up on what a "growler" is?


[/ QUOTE ]

Kids these days... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

A growler is used to test the armature of motors & generators for shorts & continuity. It gets its name from the sound it makes (you guess)...

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[burndup]

schematics, pictures?

[Bugman]

Some growler basics:
generator testing (http://www.tpub.com/content/firetrucksandequipment/TM-5-4210-233-14P-1/css/TM-5-4210-233-14P-1_1037.htm)
ebay growler (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4122&item=61188839 03&rd=1)

-Jeff

[FoMoCo_MoFo]

Jay,
I picked up a growler at the pomona swap last year for 40 bucks. the dude had at least 10 of them.

the first time I was testing a Generator with it, my dogs were freaking out. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[flatordead]

For a quick check connect armature and field terminal and hook the generator to a battery. If it's ok it works like electric motor. Easy check you can do even at a swap meet.

[burndup]

Duhh... the answers lay within my own bookshelf...

[ruttencutter]

What if it only sort of sometimes acts as an electric motor? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Mostly very rarely?

-S

[flatordead]

That's no good. Check for sticky brushes or loose wires. If this is not the case, you might need to pull it apart and ahave a closer look.

[Bruce Dorsi]

[ QUOTE ]

The field windings are not grounded to the frame with the ground bolt removed.

Any suggestions?

-Scott

[/ QUOTE ]

.................................
Did you check the field coils for continuity?

Sometimes coils will go "Open," and not short to ground.

[ruttencutter]

How exactly do you mean? I believe I do have continuity on my field windings. How should I double check?

Thanks,

-S