Polarizing the generator-‘46 Mercury
 

Restoring a ‘46 Merc and have installed a rebuilt generator on the 59a motor, along with a NOS voltage regulator from Southside Obsolete. The instructions that came with the regulator said to polarize the generator by momentarily jumping the ARM and BAT terminals at the voltage regulator. Would that get the job done? I’ve seen videos on how to polarize the generator with the generator on a bench… does it need to “motor” to polarize, or is just a current flow enough? I’d prefer not to undo the fan belts. Thanks

Re: Polarizing the generator-‘46 Mercury
 

It does not have to motor, only pass current through the field coils to magnetize the pole shoes. However, motoring does show that polarity is correct. You dont have to remove the belt. Just loosen tension so the generator can rotate. It only needs to polarize momentarilly.

Steve Blancard

Re: Polarizing the generator-‘46 Mercury
 

Touch the field wire on the regulator momentarily to the battery terminal - generator is polarized.

Re: Polarizing the generator-‘46 Mercury
 

Bill OH is correct. Do not use a jumper wire on a Ford. Remove the field wire from the regulator and flash it to the bat terminal. If you do not remove the field wire from the regulator before you flash, current will enter the regulator and may damage the points of your NOS unit.