Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:40 pm Post subject: Testing Generator
Wes, what TM covers the generator maintenance and testing? I may have to purchase one. I am trying to trouble shoot my generator on the bench with the printed instructions from your data files. The data is blurry, so I can't tell what voltage and current I should read after I get test rig hooked up. But first I need to put together a rig and I do not know what size variable resistor ( ohm's and wattage needed). Can you elaborate on that? The model number of the Autolight generator, best that I can tell is GHA-4802BUT.
I have experience trouble shooting industrial instrumentation/electrical etc. So I believe that I can do this with a little help. I tried to test the generators by hooking up +24volts to terminal "B" and neg. to the case to see if they would turn, but they didn't rotate. _________________ Tropical Veteran
35th Inf. Reg. "CACTI" 4th I.D. VN
Amateur Radio K5XOM
All the necessary pages are up on the site. Which one is blurred to you?
Do you have a test lead adapter set?
You spin generators by applying system voltage to the armature/battery terminal and then ground the case. If she spins then most likely the regulator is the problem.
I use a standard GI low voltage test set which has the load unit and the variable resister for the field built in. You can pick them up for under $100. Give Kevin a shout at Starr Electric. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Wes I wasn't connecting the voltage up correctly.
You say connect the Positive voltage to the armature. I am having trouble deciphering which terminal is the armature, would it be "A" or would it be "C" or would it be "A" & "C". the drawing on Figure 84 shows A & C connected together. Since I do not have this test rig setup or the test lead adapter set I am not sure where to put the positive voltage to make it turn.
Right now I just want to apply voltage to it while it is altogether on the bench to see if it turns like a motor. _________________ Tropical Veteran
35th Inf. Reg. "CACTI" 4th I.D. VN
Amateur Radio K5XOM
A&C together they carry the full armature load. B is for the field only and the sheel of the cable is the ground connection.
Take the entire generator cable assembly off the the voltage regulator. Take it to your electronics store or Radio Shack and get some male pins that will fit the female end of the cable (the end that was attached to the generator) preferably solder type pins. Now solder two pieces (about 3 ft) of quality well insulated 10 or 12 gage wire to the pins. Twist and solder the other two ends of these wires together and connect them to some sort of large alligator clip that will fit on your battery terminals. Now strap the generator to the table so it can't spin in reaction to the startup torque. Now insert the two pins in the generator pin sockets marked A & C. Connect the alligator clip end to the + terminal on your battery. Now take a regular jumper cable and clip one end of it to the - post of your battery. Now with a firm grip on the generator touch the other end of the jumper cable to the generator's housing. She should spin immediately. If she doesn't don't hoild the cables there long enough to generate any smoke.
This explanation makes it very simple to test the generator, I was trying the same thing, but did not connect A&C together. Maybe I was trying to go from B to ground... have slept since then. I think something for this weekend. If the generator is good then I may be able to figure out the regulator... Mine is NOT filled with goop to prevent repair.
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