Confusion about polarizing a generator.

[dahermit]

I have a 1948 8N with an internally grounded generator. I have an illustration with how to polarize an externally grounded generator next to an illustration on how to polarize an internally grounded generator. The illustration shows a jumper wire touching the "Bat" and the "Gen" (or "ARM"), However, with mine (internally grounded generator) they show disconnected terminals wires, "Bat" and "Fld" touched together. My question, is it necessary to disconnect the "Bat" and "Fld" wires from the Voltage Regulator terminals, or can I just jump "Bat" and "Fld" with a wire or pliers handle?

 

[dahermit]

Well, after reading more stuff, I am not sure if I have an externally or externally grounded 3-brush generator. The illustration I posted about shows a grounding to the frame under the generator. However, in other wiring illustrations, the grounding wire goes to a ground on the Voltage regulator. All I am sure of is that I have the 3-brush generator because I rebuilt it a couple of years ago and replaced all three brushes.

 

[Dell (WA)]

dahermit........some of the VERY EARLY 6V-8N's used the left-over 1-terminal 3rd brush 2N gennys guttz. Early 9N/2N's were 11-amp gennys. 8N's became 20-amp gennys. This required different field pieces.

Ford connected the squarecan voltage regulator frame with an external ground wire BACK to the barrel of the 6V-genny, thus making certain of a good ground. The early 6V-squarecan voltage regulator was mounted on rubber baby bumper bushings. Can you guess why Ford supplied a separate grounding wire to the genny???

And yes, "arc-spark" the side-by-side BATT & ARM terminals together, engine OFF. You can re-polarize as many times as it takes to feel warm and fuzzy ...er... charged. .......the charging Dell

 

[dahermit]

So what you are saying is that I have an externally grounded generator?

 

[souNdguy]

be safe. jump bat and arm.. should work... especially since you don't seem to know exactly what you have.

soundguy

 

[Dell (WA)]

dahermit........NO, NOT what I am saying. Ittz'chur squarecan voltage regulator that is grounded to yer new genny barrel. tinka'boutitt. .......Dell

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 20:12:56 11/15/11) So what you are saying is that I have an externally grounded generator?

Terminology, terminology, terminology! The terms 'internally grounded' & 'externally grounded' when applied to a generator type is used to define/describe whether the field coils receive their ground by an external connection or whether they receive their ground from an internal connection.
Others will use the less descriptive terminology, "A- ckt" or "B-ckt" to identify the field connection/grounding scheme. Neither have ANYTHING what so ever to do with the grounding of the generator housing or voltage regulator housing/case. However, better terminology than internal or external grounded would be internally or externally SOURCED field, as this leaves no ambiguity & covers all generator type used on all Ford tractors.
P.S. You have an internally sourced, externally grounded, low-side & high-side controlled field, "A-ckt" generator.

 

[isaac111]

wait... what?

why does this matter? (seriously)

 

[Ed S.]

P.S. You have an internally sourced, externally grounded, low-side & high-side controlled field, "A-ckt" generator.

I love it when you talk technical!

:lol:

es

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 16:05:18 11/16/11) wait... what?

why does this matter? (seriously)

ell, isaac111, information matters not to many. Here, the initial poster didn't know what generator he had, but wanted to polarize it according to one of the two methods he had before him. Dell went off on "externally grounded" taking the discussion away from the posters question and into the area of how the generator & VR are tied to each others actual ground.....nothing to do with generator types as far as "internally or externally grounded FIELDS" are concerned. So, it was/is my intention to straighten is mess out, by clarifying the meaning of the terms, help him identify his generator & type such that he could select the one of two polarization methods before him. Why is it important? If polarization is done incorrectly, a VR can be ruined. $$. You may be thinking that he told us what tractor he was working on & with that piece of info, that was all that was needed to tell him how to polarize it AND you would be dead wrong. Why, because there has been 60 years to modify/mix/swap parts and just this week there is another post where the poster claims his 8N gen has been modified from an "A-ckt" to a "B-ckt" thus requiring the use of a different VR and different polarizing method. So, the user and whoever is trying to help him needs to ID what he has, not make assumptions, or else potentially do more harm than help. Hope that helps clarify.

 

[36 Coupe]

Polarization is a damn fool stunt.I have repaired generators since 1951 qnd never polarized a generator.

 

[souNdguy]

it's cover4ed in shop manuals, so there is lefgitimacy to it.

I just think it's a bit overdone. at least if one properly.. it won't hurt naything anyway.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 18:36:04 11/18/11) it's cover4ed in shop manuals, so there is lefgitimacy to it.

I just think it's a bit overdone. at least if one properly.. it won't hurt naything anyway.

efinitely over done & as said harms nothing if done correctly. As for legitimacy........anyone who has really worked on generators knows the the output polarity can be swapped +/- by polarizing it.
There are a handful on these boards that recommend polarization for any ailment....kinda like mama and any feel bad complaint got you a dose of castor oil. :x