The Ford Barn

Bruce_MO · 10-27-2024, 05:38 PM

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

ndnchf · 10-27-2024, 07:48 PM

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

Bill OH · 10-27-2024, 09:11 PM

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

fordyford · 10-27-2024, 11:08 PM

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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.

10-27-2024, 05:38 PM	#1
Bruce_MO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 592	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

10-27-2024, 07:48 PM	#2
ndnchf Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 1,205	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

10-27-2024, 09:11 PM	#3
Bill OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 454	Re: Polarizing the generator-‘46 Mercury Touch the field wire on the regulator momentarily to the battery terminal - generator is polarized.

10-27-2024, 11:08 PM	#4
fordyford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 282	Re: Polarizing the generator-‘46 Mercury Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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.