Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

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58kicker
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Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#1

Post by 58kicker »

Hi

Maybe a stupid question - but I am unsure whether I have to polarize the genratoren when I have a electronic regulators (see pic), think I read somewhere that it was not necessary.

Can anyone confirm this and maybe explain to me why it is not necessary?

I've had the battery disconnected for a while, and now the generator lamp won't go completely off when I ride.

Anders
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#2

Post by 58flh »

ANYTIME BATTERY is disconected ,ALWAYS POLARIZE the GENNY!--MECH>REG> or TRANSISTOR!--ALWAYS POLARIZE!--(+-TERMINAL on batt to A terminal on genny!,A quick flash will do! 8) ---Richie
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#3

Post by 58kicker »

OK - I will try that.

My terminals on the GEN is not marked, but the A-terminal would be the one connected to the REG, correct?
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#4

Post by 58flh »

THE A terminal from looking at the pic. is the one all the way forward the one towards the rear is the F!---Usually they are in this configuration -But I looked to make sure!,I have seen them opposite ,but it was usually a mistake by the guy who never rebuilt a genny! I LOKKED AT yours & your good to go! Remember just a flash will do ya!-Start bike & see whats being put back at the battery. if 12V system then 13.5 to 14 Volts is good! raise RPM when measuring!-(2000) will do.---RICHIE 8)
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#5

Post by Cotten »

Anders!

What voltage of battery is in the machine?

Six-volt two-brush and Model 65 12v generators had the field terminal forward, and the armature terminal to the rear.
Your photo suggests this, as the indicator light wire is attached to the rear,
and the green on the regulator wire to the front terminal suggests it is the field.

The regulator and generator need to be better identified.
This may require pulling the brush cap to inspect the arrangement.
But if it were charging properly in the past as it is installed,
then I would polarize to the terminal with two wires upon it.

....Cotten
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#6

Post by 58kicker »

Cotten wrote:Anders!

What voltage of battery is in the machine?
Hi Cotten

It's a 6 volt.

I have had a charging problem since I bought it in September, but I had a 45 watt bulb in the headlight, that I have exchanged with a 35 watt, so I'm not realy sure if it's a charging problem or it was the 45 watt bulb that caused the problem.

I have previously measured the voltage across the battery to 7 volts at 2,000 rpms, but yesterday I could only get it up to 6.5 volts.

I will try to polarize it, and hopefully this will fix the problem :D

Anders
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#7

Post by 58flh »

NICE save COTTON!---I AUTOMATICALY ASSUMED a 12V set-up!--(DUMBASS ASSUME NOTHING!)---RICHIE :shock:
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#8

Post by Cotten »

Anders!

Can you perform a load test upon the battery?

Beware that a weak battery, or attempting to re-charge a dead battery by running the machine, will overheat the armature.

Testing the charging system requires to measure the amperage, with the field momentarily grounded, using a fully charged battery.

.....Cotten
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#9

Post by longhorn »

Again, you guy's have me wondering.
Why do you have the indicator light wire running to the field side?
On both of my panheads, the indicator light wire is running to the "A" side of the generator.
I'm not going to say, that I didn't install it that way, but I have never touched my 65. The previous owner may have, I don't have a clue.
Thanks
Jim
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#10

Post by Cotten »

Jim!

You are correct, the indicator light is to be connected to the armature terminal on any two-brush generator...
And it is correct in Ander's photo, for his six-volt system.

....Cotten
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#11

Post by longhorn »

Cotten;
Thanks again.
Jim
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#12

Post by 58kicker »

Hi again!

A quick polarization seems to be all that it needed :D

As described by Cotton, I flashed the A-terminal(rear) on the genny, and once I fired it up, I could immediately see the difference - the GEN light went out, when I increased the rpms.

I measured the following voltage across the battery:

6,4 v - motor off, battery fully charged.
6,0 v - motor off, ignition and lights on.
6,7 v - motor and lights on, and with high rpms.

Sounds good, right? :mrgreen:

Anders
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#13

Post by 1951 adam »

The key to any electrical system or charging system is the battery. It can effect charge rate ect, always test with a fully chargerd battery , as Cotten sugested. I am not a big fan of those types of voltage regulators on a generator set up. Once you get a 6 volt system correct, they are great , my experience was on my 1960 2 brush 6 volt.....but everything was OE. When I got my 51, the first thing I replaced was the regulator...always inconsistant for me, good luck with everything
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#14

Post by edmondpanhead »

ahem hi guys how do you polarize? im sorry im just new to all these!
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Re: Do I need to polarize the generator or not?

#15

Post by awander »

Momentarily connect a wire between + on the battery, and the A terminal on the generator.

Any connection that is "electrically" the same will work-for instance, between BAT and GEN terminals on the regulator or cutout relay.
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