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Generator testing

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 1:55 pm
by mavicator
I'm about to test my generator, following instructions. It says to run the car with both generator leads disconnected and rev the engine. I've been warned on other cars not to do this as it can ruin the generator. Is this correct? - Steve S - TC8975, LA, CA

Re: Generator testing

Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 8:49 pm
by Terry Sanders
Those other cars probably have alternators....never run an alternator with out the leads connected. Blows the diodes instantly....a real problem on boats. Terry in Oakland mavicator websim@pacbell.net> wrote: I'm about to test my generator, following instructions. It says to run the car with both generator leads disconnected and rev the engine. I've been warned on other cars not to do this as it can ruin the generator. Is this correct? - Steve S - TC8975, LA, CA Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Generator testing

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 2:04 am
by ian thomson
Disconnect the two leads and short them. Put a meter from the short to earth and run the engine at idle. There should be more than 12 volts. A short blip on the throttle should send the voltage sky high if all is well. This sort of treatment would kill an alternator but generators (dynamos) are much tougher, just don't rev it more than a short "blip". Ian Thomson. --- --- mavicator websim@pacbell.net> wrote:
> I'm about to test my generator, following > instructions. It says to > run the car with both generator leads disconnected > and rev the engine. > I've been warned on other cars not to do this as it > can ruin the > generator. Is this correct? > > - Steve S > - TC8975, LA, CA > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > mg-tabc-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > >
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Re: Generator testing

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 8:47 am
by mavicator
Thanks for all the replies (both on and off list). I understand not to rev the engine too much with the generator leads shorted. With the wires disconnected, I can rev all I like without them shorted, correct? Thanks again! - Steve S - TC8975, LA, CA

Re: Generator testing

Posted: Fri May 27, 2005 6:05 pm
by Dean Jensen
Hi Steve Correct, or if you hook the regulator to the generator. Cheers Dean -----Original Message----- From: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of mavicator Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 10:46 AM To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com Subject: [mg-tabc] Re: Generator testing Thanks for all the replies (both on and off list). I understand not to rev the engine too much with the generator leads shorted. With the wires disconnected, I can rev all I like without them shorted, correct? Thanks again! - Steve S - TC8975, LA, CA Yahoo! Groups Links