2 Brush Generator Rotation Direction
-
- Junior Member
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:59 pm
- Bikes: 58 FL
2K FLSTc
2K FLHTCUI with factory sidecar
2 Brush Generator Rotation Direction
I have two spare 2 brush 12 volt generators that I wanted to test to see if they would work.
I started by "motoring" them by hooking up a charged spare battery positive to the "A" terminal, connecting the "f" terminal to the generator case , and connecting the battery negative to the generator case.
Both generators motored, but one went clockwise and the other counter-clockwise!
I search the knowledge base, but could not find the answers to these questions :
Question 1, Which direction should the generator motor (clockwise or counter-clockwise facing the generator output shaft)?
Question 2. To change rotation direction do I swap the field coil wires between the armature stud and the field stud? If not, how?
Question 3. What is the rotation direction of the generator when installed on the bike with the motor running?
Thanks for your help with these questions!
RedPanEd
I started by "motoring" them by hooking up a charged spare battery positive to the "A" terminal, connecting the "f" terminal to the generator case , and connecting the battery negative to the generator case.
Both generators motored, but one went clockwise and the other counter-clockwise!
I search the knowledge base, but could not find the answers to these questions :
Question 1, Which direction should the generator motor (clockwise or counter-clockwise facing the generator output shaft)?
Question 2. To change rotation direction do I swap the field coil wires between the armature stud and the field stud? If not, how?
Question 3. What is the rotation direction of the generator when installed on the bike with the motor running?
Thanks for your help with these questions!
RedPanEd
-
- Junior Member
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:59 pm
- Bikes: 58 FL
2K FLSTc
2K FLHTCUI with factory sidecar
Re: 2 Brush Generator Rotation Direction
Facing the output shaft, installed with the engine running?
-
- Moderator
- Senior Member
- Posts: 8378
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
- Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
- Has thanked: 478 times
- Been thanked: 2933 times
Re: 2 Brush Generator Rotation Direction
Scroll down on the link until you see the timing gears, then look at them to determine why it rotates CCW.
Pinion gear rotates CW
Timer drive rotates CCW
Idler gear rotates CW
Therefore generator drive gear, and consequently generator drive shaft, rotates CCW
Engine - Gearcase 1955 - 1957
Pinion gear rotates CW
Timer drive rotates CCW
Idler gear rotates CW
Therefore generator drive gear, and consequently generator drive shaft, rotates CCW
Engine - Gearcase 1955 - 1957
-
- Junior Member
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2012 9:59 pm
- Bikes: 58 FL
2K FLSTc
2K FLHTCUI with factory sidecar
Re: 2 Brush Generator Rotation Direction
Thanks RUBONE for answering question 2. How about question 1 & 2?
-
- Moderator
- Senior Member
- Posts: 8378
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
- Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
- Has thanked: 478 times
- Been thanked: 2933 times
Re: 2 Brush Generator Rotation Direction
1, it depends on the position of the armature when power is applied.
2, No, don't change the leads, follow the factory wiring. (it is all in the service manual).
2, No, don't change the leads, follow the factory wiring. (it is all in the service manual).
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 561
- Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2017 12:32 am
- Bikes: 1961 fl 1976 fxe
- Location: macon georgia
- Has thanked: 81 times
- Been thanked: 182 times
Re: 2 Brush Generator Rotation Direction
did you polarize before testing ? that may be ccw reason if been sitting idle lost its magnetic field
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 5327
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:00 pm
- Bikes: 1950 Panhead, Resto-Mod
1968 90", 5 Speed Shovelhead,
1984 Home Built Custom Evo 100" Bagger - Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Has thanked: 2801 times
- Been thanked: 2158 times
Re: 2 Brush Generator Rotation Direction
Hey Fellas.....
I have not motored a generator in many years, but I am wondering here if one were to reverse the polarity of the 12V power source, hot battery, swapping the + and - leads, would that change the rotation when motoring.... I have always grounded the Field terminal to the case and attached the Neg lead there, Pos to the Armature terminal......
RooDog
I have not motored a generator in many years, but I am wondering here if one were to reverse the polarity of the 12V power source, hot battery, swapping the + and - leads, would that change the rotation when motoring.... I have always grounded the Field terminal to the case and attached the Neg lead there, Pos to the Armature terminal......
RooDog
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1396
- Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:25 am
- Bikes: 1950 panhead, 1999 FLHTCI, 1987 FLHTC custom
- Location: Daytona Beach
- Has thanked: 438 times
- Been thanked: 648 times
Re: 2 Brush Generator Rotation Direction
As Rubone stated, it probably matters where it is when energized. And... It's not a motor after all! And..... Does it really matter? Won't a generator put the same output whether it rotates CW or CCW? Questions that might not need answers.
Andygears
Andygears
-
- Member
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 4:02 am
- Bikes: 59FLH, 76FXE
- Location: chicago
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: 2 Brush Generator Rotation Direction
The pole shoe retains a small amount of magnetism. This provides enough field for the generator to start and then energize the field. That's why you should polarize the gen after disconnecting the charging circuit or if the gen has been sitting for a while.
The 'reverse' spinning gen probably began turning the direction the armature position favored.
The 'reverse' spinning gen probably began turning the direction the armature position favored.