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Generator output, should I get AC volts out?

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Ed in Maine

06-08-2005 06:24:45




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Not sure if my regulator is bad or my Generator is bad on my '59 Case 310B, 12V system. When I went to hook the battery up it sparked a bit so I started disconnecting stuff. I tried to measure the output of the generator, AC and DC mode right across the two terminals and I hardly got anything out, a volt or 2. Is it shot? Will probably hit the auto junkyard for an alternator with a 12V output on Saturday. Any idea on a vehicle make/model with a nice little alt that may mount up easily?
Ed

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Ed in Maine

06-09-2005 07:51:13




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 Link to excellent article in reply to Ed in Maine, 06-08-2005 06:24:45  
Thanks for the tip on the article! Just got through reading it and I think I have a regulator issue, will be opening it up tonight. A link to the article is below.
Ed



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Randy165

06-08-2005 19:09:06




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 Re: Generator output, should I get AC volts out? in reply to Ed in Maine, 06-08-2005 06:24:45  
ED, go over to the left hand side of this page and read "Articles" and find "Two Brush Generators". There is a tremendous amount of info on the old generators. The guys that write this are amazing in their knowledge of the old tractors. I have found more info here than some of the service manuals. Hope this helps.



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mlm

06-08-2005 18:38:27




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 Re: Generator output, should I get AC volts out? in reply to Ed in Maine, 06-08-2005 06:24:45  
Generators are never connected directly to the battery, the output has to go though a cutout/regulator. Alternators will be connected directly to battery if there is no ammeter inline first. Aternators have diodes to stop the backflow and rectify.
Also many cheap meters will show a reading if set on AC but measuring DC.



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todd hamilton

06-08-2005 20:24:14




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 Re: Generator output, should I get AC volts out? in reply to mlm, 06-08-2005 18:38:27  
This is correct: I did not mean to over-simplify in the previous post. What I was trying to say is to check the charging system as configured on the vehicle. This is easily done with a volt meter across the battery terminals, check voltage with engine off, then with engine on.



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Ed in Maine

06-08-2005 17:28:25




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 Re: Generator output, should I get AC volts out? in reply to Ed in Maine, 06-08-2005 06:24:45  
So I can just hook the generator right up to the battery with no regulator? The wires on my generator aren't labeled, anyone know how to identify. I will post a pic later. I assume I can only run the generator straight to the battery for a short time so I don't over charge the batt.

Ed



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Paul f

06-09-2005 05:25:56




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 Re: Generator output, should I get AC volts out? in reply to Ed in Maine, 06-08-2005 17:28:25  
Ed Look Closely at the generator case near the terminals...many have an "A" or an "F" stamped in the case itself near the terminal (may be filled in with dirt/paint)



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todd hamilton

06-08-2005 15:39:58




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 Re: Generator output, should I get AC volts out? in reply to Ed in Maine, 06-08-2005 06:24:45  
Auto/truck/tractor generators and alternators put out un-filtered voltage with a lot of ripple (noise) making it near impossible to get an accurate reading with a volt meter if not connected to the battery. The battery is a huge storage capacitor and filters the ripple out of the system. To see if you are charging, check the battery (connected, engine off) on DC and you should read right at 12 volts. Start the engine and see if the voltage comes up to 13.5 -14.5 volts DC. If it does not and the voltage drops while running the engine, it is not charging.

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Jerry W

06-08-2005 14:13:54




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 Re: Generator output, should I get AC volts out? in reply to Ed in Maine, 06-08-2005 06:24:45  
Generators always output DC voltage. Alternators generate AC voltage that must be converted to DC. Some do it in the back case and some do it in the regulator which may be internal to the alternator or somewhere external.

Jerry



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C. Amick

06-08-2005 07:21:28




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 Re: Generator output, should I get AC volts out? in reply to Ed in Maine, 06-08-2005 06:24:45  
You should be measuring the amperage output. With the battery connected to the generator, run the field wire to ground and measure the output.



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