Generator

[Kevin in MI]

If I disconnect the battery of my 6 volt positive ground system, is polarizing the generator needed immediately upon reconnection? If so, what is the procedure?

Thanks, Kevin
1943 H

 

[John T]

No and Yes: If a genny is already properly polarized, a short term battery disconnection WILL NOT cause the genny to loose its polarization i.e. NO a polarization is NOT REQUIRED (short term battery removals and assuming you dont change polarity).

HOWEVER, if a genny sits a long period (or was in the shop etc) it can loose much of its polarization (or perhaps got polarized wrong at the shop) and YES it would be a good idea to Polarize BEFORE start up.

BUTTTTTTTTTTT in doubt it dont hurt to Polarize before start up just to be safe i.e. GO AHEAD AND DO IT TO BE SAFE as it wont harm anything...

POLARIZE: BEFORE START UP use a small jumper wire to momentarily flash jump from the BAT terminal on a Voltage Regulator or Cutout Relay over to its GEN/ARM terminal (should get a small spark) or else you can jump from the BAT terminal direct down to the Gennys ARM post.

NOTE A VR or Cutout needs a good frame ground remember

Hopre this helps and the gents can add if I missed anything

John T

 

[Janicholson]

I will add a info bit to john's fine content.
When the tractor is shut down, the cutout relay in the VR (or cutout relay alone if an early model) completely disconnects the generator from the system. The field circuit on these is grounded to operate, so all field voltage/current must come from the armature end of the field windings.
The iron core poles of the field windings stay magnetized (Iron has pretty good permanence, but will after many years, or being subjected to external strong magnetism, loose the residual field it retains from last use. This magnetism is what gets the generator going, producing enough voltage to self excite its field windings, then begin charging above battery voltage.
It is interesting that many modern smart electronics loose their brain content, whereas old things (contrary to "oldtimers desease")stay operational. Jim
Thus removing the battery makes no difference, assuming the Gen was not "fixed" or messed with.

 

[Kevin in MI]

Thank you!! I'm going to change out my Mag to a regular distributor (353898R1) that I've outfitted with a Pertronix electronic ignition and the instructions say to disconnect the battery. Once I have the #1 cylinder at TDC, it should't take more than 10-15 minutes to swap the hardware.

Kevin

 

[Janicholson]

The ignition switch will need to be changed. The original is a grounding kill button that is grounded when pushed in. The distributor switch is never grounded, but supplies Bat voltage to the coil (from the load side of the amp gauge) when pulled out, and is open when pushed in. It will not hurt anything if it is hooked up with the old switch left as it is, it just will not work. Jim

 

[Kevin in MI]

Jim, The current setup isn't using the mag as intended(mag guts removed and an external coil has been installed). The kill switch is a toggle switch mounted at the amp box to supply power and kill the motor. Will I need to change any of this? If I follow the pertronix instructions, I should be all set. Kevin

 

[Janicholson]

It is good to go. No issue at all. Jim