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02-23-2011, 01:27 PM | #1 |
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Model A Ford generator
My generator is not charging...what is the best way to test on the car? Not sure if the cutout is bad...
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02-23-2011, 02:58 PM | #2 |
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Location: Eastern Tennessee
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Disconnect the Cut-out wiring and remove the Cut-out from the Generator. Next remove the fan belt. Using a set of jumper cables connected to a charged battery, connect to the Generator and see if it will spin like a motor. If so, in all liklihood it will charge and therefore consider swapping out and installing a good Cut-out with a diode in it.
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02-23-2011, 03:39 PM | #3 |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Thanks Brent!
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02-23-2011, 09:26 PM | #4 |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Brent's advice is right on the money but I would like to add a bit of advice if you do have to buy a cutout with a diode. Buy it from a Model A Ford parts dealer and not from a flea market casual vendor. Why do I say that? It is because current goes thru a diode only one way. The Model A is positive ground. The Model T is negative ground, so the diode cutout for the A will not work on a T and the T diode cutout will not work on the A. A casual flea market seller may not know which one he is selling as they look alike.
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02-23-2011, 10:16 PM | #5 |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Start the engine and set it to a fast idle, then jump across the two cutout terminals. If it now shows a charge the cutout needs the contacts cleaned, or the pull in winding is bad. If the amp guage still shows a charge after the jumper wire is removed, then the generator just needed to be polarized.
Don't run a Model A generator for more than a few seconds if it's not connected to the battery, or it may burn itself up. If the cutout is faulty, then the generator isn't connected to the battery. In case of a faulty cutout, you can safely run the generator by jumping the output post to ground. |
04-16-2011, 09:38 AM | #6 |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
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11-24-2013, 05:44 PM | #7 |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Thanks to all of you got the old 31 ford charging again
Joe |
11-25-2013, 07:28 AM | #8 | |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Quote:
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11-25-2013, 10:26 AM | #9 |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Same procedure for the diode cutout. Jump the two terminals with the engine at fast idle, then if it still shows no charge the generator most likely needs to be repaired. Check the voltage with a seperate meter to see if it rises above battery voltage.
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11-25-2013, 11:19 AM | #10 |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Thanks, I'll do this.. I always thought that motoring was a reliable sign that the generator was OK.
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06-14-2015, 09:43 AM | #11 | |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Quote:
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06-14-2015, 01:59 PM | #12 |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
"Is the procedure any different if you have a diode cutout (bought from a major shop)? My gen motors, but doesn't give more than battery voltage at a fast idle and the 3rd brush pushed all the way down."
OK, but what is the AMP's it's putting out? |
06-14-2015, 08:21 PM | #13 |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
You polarize the same way with a diode cutout. The amps output should show on the instrument panel ammeter, and if you have the 3rd brush pushed way down, the output should be quite high.
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06-14-2015, 10:05 PM | #14 |
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Location: Kansas City, Mo.
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Usually motoring a generator provides a good indication that the generator will do its job and generate, but not always. I had a power house generator that would motor fine but when the generator was put in service it would fail to provide sufficant current for charging. A growler test of the armature showed that it had a shorted winding. Hopefuly yours does not have this problem.
All the best,
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Walt |
06-15-2015, 12:03 AM | #15 | |
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Re: Model A Ford generator
Quote:
If it doesn't motor it is an almost guarantee that the genny is bad. Like Brent says in all likelihood the genny will work. Next step after the genny motors is to follow Toms advice; [quote]Start the engine and set it to a fast idle, then jump across the two cutout terminals. If it now shows a charge the cutout needs the contacts cleaned, or the pull in winding is bad. If the amp gauge still shows a charge after the jumper wire is removed, then the generator just needed to be polarized.[/unquote] This actually does two things, bypasses the cutout, and polarizes the generator. WARNING if you have a regulator in a can and not a cutout you will damage the regulator. Just wanted to put all the steps in one post with a little explanation.
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