Re: Testing generator

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2019/4/4 20:25:46

Sounds like your charging system is not working. Does the ammeter never move to the right or (+) side? If not, 99.999% your charging system is dead.

Very simple test you can do. Temporarily ground the Field terminal of the generator and run the engine at a good brisk speed. Read the charge rate on your ammeter, the needle should be pegged at near max on the + side.. If there is no charge, then the generator is not functioning. Do not leave the field grounded after the test.

If the charging system charges (ammeter positive) with the field grounded but does not charge after you remove the ground, the regulator is suspect. To determine if its charging, just look at your ammeter.

An even simplier test is to run the engine after dark with the headlights on. If the don't get brighter as you increase the engine speed (and of course the ammeter well into the positive), your charging system is not functioning. Then you could use the above test to determine if it's the generator or regulator.