voltage regulator


You're polarizing the "charging system", not just the generator or regulator. Once everything is wired up correctly, running a jumper from the battery terminal and the armature terminal for a couple of seconds should be all you need. I've always done that one the regulator - it was easier to get to on my 1950 Jeep pickup and what the instructions said to do.
 
You polarize the generator NOT the regulator.

More specifically the burst of polarizing current goes through the field coils in the generator magnetizing the iron cores in the center of each field coil...one as a north pole, one as a south pole. Which core is north and which is south depends on polarity of current burst.

These iron cores hold this magnetism and determine the charge polarity when the generator starts to charge.
 
I have heard of having to do that before, I'm not exactly sure why they do it. It may have something to do with some of the regulators that are made now for other brands aren't set for a certain polarity. All of our 6 volt regulators say on the back 6v pos ground, so we should never have to do that. I think it's also due to some regulators come with instructions that say how to polarize the regulator, when in actuality you are polarizing the generator at the regulator from the instructions.
 
There are two main reasons why a generator needs to be polarized.

1. It has sat for an extended time and the field coil iron cores have lost their residual magnetism.

2. While working with the charging system something may have accidentally reversed the polarity of the system.

The positive or negative marking on the regulator has nothing to do with controlling or maintaining the polarity. It indicates that the regulator is designed to work at that polarity, which is often due to type of material in the internal contact points.

Polarizing instructions often show doing it at the regulator. This uses two easily determined contact points and it keeps the contact spark away from the threads on the screw on the armature post on the generator thus preventing arcing at the screw and damage to the screw threads. Polarizing can be done from any point that makes connection to hot battery post to any point that makes contact with generator armature post.

Note that this procedure is for Type A systems. Type B is done differently but that is another discussion.
 
I should have clarified that. I know why you have to polarize the generator, but I don't know why people say you have to polarize a regulator.
 

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