I had the generator rebuuilt, but this past summer the gauge was showing discharge when driving it. I was reading the manual it said to polarize the generator ,but I never did that. Will todays service stations have a meter ,to check to see if it charging? Why would a rebuilt generator go bad so soon? Something to think about over the winter! Thank you !
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How do I know if the generator is charging? Do I polarize the gen before starting? 55, c-body 2 dr
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Electrical: How do I know if the generator is charging? Do I polarize the gen before starting? 55, c-body 2 dr
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If a generator or regulator has been removed from the car it will need to be polarized. Rebuild, new or used a generator will not charge until it's be polarized. Polarize it at the regulator, simply take a piece of wire hold one end to terminal 'A' then for a split-second touch the other end to terminal 'B' NEVER touch the one labeled 'F' or field. That's all their is to it. You can probably google how to polarize a generator. Hope this helps.
Joesigpic
1962 Daytona
1964 Cruiser
And a few others
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If your not sure if you should polarize it.
Polarize it.
It doesn't hurt anything and could save you trouble.
The 55 shop manual has 2 methods to polarize.
One for Delco generator, regulator and one for Autolite.
Which do you have ?
Autolite--jumper "A" to "B" at regulator.
Delco--jumper "B" to "G" at regulator.
From the shop manual:
"Momentarily touch a jumper between the terminals at the regulator."
"Be very careful to place the jumper across ONLY those terminals indicated. If the wrong terminals are connected the regulator will be severely damaged."South Lompoc Studebaker
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A generator depends on residual magnetism in its iron to begin to generate electricity. With no residual magnetism, it will not have any "magnetic field" for the armature wires to cross while spinning to produce voltage.
Using the jumper wire from A to B (Autolite) or B to G (Delco) at the regulator really puts battery voltage onto the armature windings and field windings in the generator, there by magnetizing the iron in the generator. Now the spinning armature will cut lines of magnetic force and generate electricity from a dead start. This is one of those differences of generators and alternators, alternators typically need an external excitation source to start charging (no residual magnetism).
When using the jumper wire, if there is a spark, you have done the job right!Frank DuVal
50 Commander 4 door
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