Polarizing a Generator?

[JohnC IND]

I'm considering driving my newly-purchased '50 8N w/sidemount distributor to bring it home, a roughly 13-mile sideroads drive. When I was running it the other day, I noticed the ammeter didn't seem to move. The wire on the back goes through a loop. What is the best way to polarize the generator, if it needs it? A search on the topic produces all sorts of confusing information. I would like to make it home on a live battery. Thanks in advance!

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 18:45:23 06/09/09) I'm considering driving my newly-purchased '50 8N w/sidemount distributor to bring it home, a roughly 13-mile sideroads drive. When I was running it the other day, I noticed the ammeter didn't seem to move. The wire on the back goes through a loop. What is the best way to polarize the generator, if it needs it? A search on the topic produces all sorts of confusing information. I would like to make it home on a live battery. Thanks in advance!

If it isn't working, then polarizing it is a pretty long shot as far as fixing it, but...........it is very simple, just momentarily connect the un-grounded side of your battery to the ARM terminal on the generator. Same can be accomplished by jumpering (at the voltage regulator) the BATT to ARM terminals.

 

[GB in MT.]

[b:d546ae82ad][i:d546ae82ad]
John;
Follow the wire from the loop(induction amp gauge) to each end and clean the contacts real good at their conections.
Then follow the instructions on the picture to polarize yer charging sys.
Check yer gauge......if the polarizing did not fix the prob., you may have a bad regulator.

If that did not fix it....post back, and ask for more/better help.!!!

Gary [/i:d546ae82ad][/b:d546ae82ad]

 

[souNdguy]

set to mid throttle and jump grnd to fld.. if ammeter goes positive.. she's charging.

soundguy

 

[Anonymous-0]

Gary,
Is the regulator generally crimped or screwed together? I fellow I just talked to on the phone about a roll-off truck for hauling it suggested dragging 600-grit wet-or-dry paper through the contacts, and polishing all the connections on the regulator and the generator with Scotchbrite.

 

[GB in MT.]

[b:8663c94241][i:8663c94241]
John:
If it were me...I wouldn't be messin' around INSIDE the regulator, unless ya knew really what you were doing in there.
As far as cleaning the outside connections, YES, and all the other ones you can find. Iwould first unhook the batt. so you will not short anything out........then go for it. Just make SURE to hook everything back up at the same connection points.
Dirty contacts, may just be your problem at the gauge!!!
I'm not an elect. wizard, but I see JMOR lurking around out there....and he is!!!, and SouNdguy know his stuff too.
HTH

Gary :roll: [/i:8663c94241][/b:8663c94241]