Simple Wiring Question

If I put a 6 volt cut out back on the generator with a 12 volt system won't that fry the cut out?
 
LeroyM said:
If I put a 6 volt cut out back on the generator with a 12 volt system won't that fry the cut out?
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It may not fry an original cutout, but the cutout won't be closing at 12 volts like it should, but will close at 6 volts.

An original cutout ha about 50 ohms in the fine winding, so it only draws about 1/8 amp of current at 6 volts to close the contacts.
 
Question on polarizing the generator. When I tried yesterday to polarize the generator I would touch the field post coming out of the generator case for a split second and it would arch off but still not show charging on the ampmeter. Now I was reading on another forum today that said to hold the wire on the field post for a few seconds until the motor idles down when polarizing a generator. I tried this yesterday also but when the motor started to idle down I released the wire because I thought I'd burn something up.

So my question is should the motor idle down when polarizing the generator and if so is this the correct way to polarize the generator?
 
LeroyM said:
Question on polarizing the generator. When I tried yesterday to polarize the generator I would touch the field post coming out of the generator case for a split second and it would arch off but still not show charging on the ampmeter. Now I was reading on another forum today that said to hold the wire on the field post for a few seconds until the motor idles down when polarizing a generator. I tried this yesterday also but when the motor started to idle down I released the wire because I thought I'd burn something up.

So my question is should the motor idle down when polarizing the generator and if so is this the correct way to polarize the generator?
Click to expand...

You polarize BEFORE starting the engine. Just jump the 2 cutout terminals together for 1 second and you're done. What you are doing is applying battery voltage to the field windings to set the field polarity, so make sure the battery has the correct ground first, then polarize.
 
I did like you said even though the paper work that came with the voltage regulator says not to jump the two terminals with a wire. With my current wiring diagram when I turn the key on and the fuel pump comes on the ampmeter shows +15 which is wrong since the motor isn't running. With the key off the ampmeter shows 0. Here's the current wiring.

CurrentWiring.jpg


I'm going to take the generator and voltage regulator this week and have them checked.
 
LeroyM said:
With my current wiring diagram when I turn the key on and the fuel pump comes on the ampmeter shows +15 which is wrong since the motor isn't running. With the key off the ampmeter shows 0.
Click to expand...

Put a piece of paper in between the points.

Turn on switch, if the amp meter goes to zero with the switch on then the coil is your problem. If the meter reads -15 then disconnect the + wire on the coil if the meter goes to zero then you have a short in the distributor.
Disconect the fuel pump, if the amp meter goes to zero with the switch on then that's your problem.

If the meter still goes to -15 disconnect the generator, if the amp meter goes to zero with the switch on then that's your problem.

If with the fuel pump and Generator disconnected the meter still goes to -15 you have a short in the wiring.
 
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Just an update. The guy who makes the voltage regulator emailed me back. He said that by me changing the field coils in the generator to 12 volt would cause it to not charge which doesn't make a lot of since to me since its a 12 volt negative ground voltage regulator and everything else is 12 volt negative ground. He also said he wouldn't take it to a generator shop to have it checked.

I'm taking it to the generator shop today anyway. I'm also thinking about just going to Napa and get a 12 volt voltage regulator for a generator and give that a shot over the weekend.

Has anybody used one of the voltage regulators built into the cutout after changing the field coils to 12 volt and got it to charge like it should?
 
I don't know what good a 12 volt regulator will do with the A generator.There are not enough wires to hook it up.There is no outside field wire to tie into.Also,if you polarized a Fun Projects regulator you may have fried it.He tells you NOT to do it very clearly.I have one here that the owner polarized it thinking he knew more than the maker.He said it made a little hiss and it never charged again.It also has a little constant draw now.It sounds as if your drain is elsewhere,but you still have the charging problem to deal with.I would get the generator looked at,and try it with a stock cutout.
 
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