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File this under how much I hate electrical issues.
I have a 6 volt generator off my 29. It is the kind with the cut out switch on the generator. I used to have a guy that tested these for me but I live in a different state now and there’s no one around to test it.
It is off the car. I can rig up a way to turn it but I think the cut out switch will require the generator be under a load for an accurate test and to prevent any damage. Can I connect a battery or other 6 volt load (I have a pair of 6 volts headlights from the truck) to the generator so I don't damage anything? I assume the output should be a little more than 6 volts. How much should it produce if tested correctly?
Also, it only has one cable to the generator and another small wire to the cut out. If I put my tester on the cable and ground the other probe to the generator I get 0 volts. If I put the tester on the cable and the cut out wire I get .7 volts with the generator sitting still. My college physics is a long time ago but should a wire wrapped around a magnet produce any current if nothing is moving?
I do have another generator that came off my 53. It would require a voltage regulator but it worked fine on the truck for years before I converted it to 12 volts for more dependability.
Thanks for any advice. It is much appreciated.
Rich
I'm not knowledgeable about electrical stuff. But, I found this video online that might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR6WJUBPWx4
Cheers, Dean
Dean "Rustoholic" Meltz
San Leandro, CA
3511 posts on vccachat.org
Lurch -1927 LM one ton truck - tinyurl.com/Lurch-VCCACHAT-Gallery
Justin - 1928 AB Canopy Express (1/2 ton truck) - tinyurl.com/Justin-Stovebolt-Gallery
@stovebolt-6 Rich, As an initial test you can hook your generator up to a 6 volt battery. + post to the generator wire and - post to the generator frame. A good generator should run as a motor. I don't know if this is definitive, but it is a place to start.
I am lucky to have a good generator/starter guy near me.
Mike
Many Miles of Happy Motoring
3469 Posts on Old VCCA Chat
Hi Rich
Also be aware that running/driving/testing that generator with an open charging circuit (with the generator not connected to ANYTHING) can and will burn it out.
Connecting to a load like a 6 volt battery or a light is fine.
The generator will even be fine if you just connect the output wire direct to ground with no load.
Just don't run it with an open circuit. 🙂
PS
I second what Mike said above.
Motoring the generator with a 6 volt battery is a good place to start.
Ole S Olson
Saskatoon, Sask, Canada
1946 DR 3/4 ton stake
1139 old site posts
@rustoholic Dean, thanks for this link. It’s funny, that link led me to another link where the guy rebuilds a starter and generator. It was eerily familiar. I think i did this to my 53 starter and generator 20 years ago. My memory is not what it used to be but I think as a novice with no idea what I was doing i took the gen apart and cleaned it up then took it for testing. I rethink I was just lucky I didn't mess it up. Rich
@35mike Thank's Mike. I will try that. I did watch a video of a guy rebuilding one and I think I did this to the good one I have off my 53. It was a long time ago but the whole process looked very familiar.
So I did disassemble the generator. It si a mess inside. The field coils have a lot of exposed wire. It look like someone tried to get the field coils out before and wrecked the screw head a bit. I can’t seem to remove them to reinsulate. But I do have another generator and I found an engine for this car and that also has a generator with it. So with 3 hopefully one is good.
Thanks for all the advice. I am learning a lot from you guys.
Rich
The original tool to take those screws out was a kind of press/ratchet wrench. To do it without the tool The key is finding a bit the right size for the slot. I have had good luck using an impact wrench with the right bit.
Dave
I just recently took the field coils out of my 51 starter and easily removed these screws. I used a small, straight-flat punch and inserted it as far outboard from center as possible. I held it at a 45 degree angle and hit it with a hammer. Screws loosend quickly. This avoids striking the case straight down risking deforming of the case. Worked for me but every case is different.
Jeff
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