Polarizing the Generator

[Ken/Alabama]

Bought a NOS voltage regulator for one of my 40s. Opened the box and read the instructions paper that was included. It plainly says after installation to take a jumper wire and touch the Arm post and the Batt post. That’s not how I’ve done it in the past. I’ve always thought touch the Field and Batt. But I followed the instructions and I got a huge blue flash. Is this correct??

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

Bought a NOS voltage regulator for one of my 40s. Opened the box and read the instructions paper that was included. It plainly says after installation to take a jumper wire and touch the Arm post and the Batt post. That’s not how I’ve done it in the past. I’ve always thought touch the Field and Batt. But I followed the instructions and I got a huge blue flash. Is this correct??

Hey Ken ...... I ran across the info below some time back and realized that I didn't know there was a difference between a TYPE "A" and a TYPE "B" generator/regulator set-up. So I copied this stuff down and am presenting it to you here in the hope that it MAY help you to answer your own question, or MAYBE NOT. Makes my head hurt just looking at this stuff any more.

Coop


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POLARIZING A & B Type GENERATORS
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Type "A" circuit - The field winding is connected to the insulated brush inside the generator and is connected to ground through the contact points in the regulator.

Type "B" circuit - The field winding is grounded inside the generator and is conncted to the armature circut inside the regulator.

To polarize the generator with:
Type "A" circuit - Momentarily connect a jumper lead between the regulator BATTERY and ARMATURE terminals after all leads have been connected, but before the engine is started.

Type "B" circuit - Disconnect the lead from the regulator FIELD terminal, and momentarily touch the lead to the regulator BATTERY terminal. This should be done after all other leads have been connected and before the engine is started.

I have always followed Bruce's way (Type "B") with good results with 1960-61-62 ford 12 volt generators

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[19Fordy]

Great info. Thanks V8.
How can you visually tell from the outside if you have either a TYPE A or TYPE B generator?

[Ken/Alabama]

It’s always been my understanding that our old Fords have the B circuit.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Great info. Thanks V8.
How can you visually tell from the outside if you have either a TYPE A or TYPE B generator?

AND what about the "early" Ones with a cutout??? That is just the ground side of the Generator to the "input" side of the cutout?? Correct??

[Ken/Alabama]

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Originally Posted by rockfla

AND what about the "early" Ones with a cutout??? That is just the ground side of the Generator to the "input" side of the cutout?? Correct??

I did read somewhere in the last couple days that the early generators with the third brush and cutout doesn’t need polarizing. Also after looking through all my Ford manuals and service bulletins I’ve yet to find anything from Ford concerning polarizing the 39 & up two brush generator. I do know that the field coils in the two brush Ford generators are internally grounded. That makes it a B circuit. That would mean the instruction sheet that’s with the regulator to be incorrect.

[Jack E/NJ]

Have we started it up yet to find out?

[Ken/Alabama]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Have we started it up yet to find out?

I did and it shows to be working fine. It’s on one of my 40s so no amp gauge but it puts the battery gauge up into the green zone. I did check it with a meter and it’s putting out right at 7.5 volts when I speed up the engine. I’ll take it on a drive today.

[cadillac512]

Nice test meter, Ken.
Terry

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by cadillac512

Nice test meter, Ken.
Terry

[V8COOPMAN]

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Tester!