generator regulator help
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 905
Likes: 206
From: Minneapolis
generator regulator help
I'm getting ready to fire my project bke up and I checked the two terminals on the generator and they both are continuous to ground. I checked the D+ DF and Ground terminals (all three) on the top of the regulator and they are continuous to ground as well.
I know very little abput DC generator stuff but this seems odd to me....any body went through their charging system recently and know if the poles on the generator are grounded when it is not running?
Looking at the diagrams, it is not clear if I have to pull the cam cover to get the generator off. Do I actually have to pull the cam cover to get the generator out? I could bench test the generator if I can simply pull it out....
I know very little abput DC generator stuff but this seems odd to me....any body went through their charging system recently and know if the poles on the generator are grounded when it is not running?
Looking at the diagrams, it is not clear if I have to pull the cam cover to get the generator off. Do I actually have to pull the cam cover to get the generator out? I could bench test the generator if I can simply pull it out....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: generator regulator help
All you have to do is:
Remove the red wire at the 'Batt' terminal on the voltage regulator first.
Then remove the two wires on the generator marked 'F' and 'A'.
Remove the two long hex head bolts in the timing cover that screw into the generator body.
As you remove the generator (to the left) the small gear on the end has an oil slinger that may cause you to have to tilt the genny just a bit but it should come right out. It goes back in the same way. I would replace the gasket if it is degraded.
After you get all of the wires connected back up.....be sure to flash the field on the generator before you start the engine up.............pg
Remove the red wire at the 'Batt' terminal on the voltage regulator first.
Then remove the two wires on the generator marked 'F' and 'A'.
Remove the two long hex head bolts in the timing cover that screw into the generator body.
As you remove the generator (to the left) the small gear on the end has an oil slinger that may cause you to have to tilt the genny just a bit but it should come right out. It goes back in the same way. I would replace the gasket if it is degraded.
After you get all of the wires connected back up.....be sure to flash the field on the generator before you start the engine up.............pg
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: generator regulator help
Not exactly, but let me describe what the generator looks like inside:
Starting at the 'F' terminal, there is a wire inside that goes to one of the field coils.
Coming out of that field coil is a wire that goes to the second field coil.
Out of the 2nd field coil a wire runs to terminal 'A'
Then another wire on terminal 'A' runs to the brush holder stamped with a positive mark (+)
That brush sits against the commutator.
On the opposite side of the commutator sits the other brush and this one is grounded.
So, to sum all of that up......like I said, I am not sure but I think you will get a ground reading off the A and F terminals by putting a continuity tester between the F and A terminals..
But if you slip a piece of cardboard (insulator) between each of the brushes and the commutator I believe you will not read a ground condition then.
So, I hope all that makes some sense. I would open up the generator and check the condition of both your brushes and the commutator.........pg
Starting at the 'F' terminal, there is a wire inside that goes to one of the field coils.
Coming out of that field coil is a wire that goes to the second field coil.
Out of the 2nd field coil a wire runs to terminal 'A'
Then another wire on terminal 'A' runs to the brush holder stamped with a positive mark (+)
That brush sits against the commutator.
On the opposite side of the commutator sits the other brush and this one is grounded.
So, to sum all of that up......like I said, I am not sure but I think you will get a ground reading off the A and F terminals by putting a continuity tester between the F and A terminals..
But if you slip a piece of cardboard (insulator) between each of the brushes and the commutator I believe you will not read a ground condition then.
So, I hope all that makes some sense. I would open up the generator and check the condition of both your brushes and the commutator.........pg
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 30
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From:
RE: generator regulator help
Fergerburger,
I am in a similar situation with my 71 XLCH. I had the original style mechanical voltage regulator and after having some charging issues and after much reading I decided to get a solid state generator cap style regulator. I installed the gen mounted regulator and when I hooked up the battery it started smoking (there is a post within the last week or so from me describing what happened). I started finding ground where I didn't think it should be. Anyway I have since taken out my generator to see what kind of shape it was in as well as trace every wire on the bike. I don't know exactly what is wrong yet but am not giving up. The next time I get a chance to get in the shop I will check my generator terminals to see if they are grounded and will let you know what I come up with. From my recollection of my testing over the past few days however I do think that both the A and F terminals on the generator showed continuity to ground. This, however, may be a reason why my new regulator got smoked. I'll keep you posted and keep an eye on this thread as well.
Chris
I am in a similar situation with my 71 XLCH. I had the original style mechanical voltage regulator and after having some charging issues and after much reading I decided to get a solid state generator cap style regulator. I installed the gen mounted regulator and when I hooked up the battery it started smoking (there is a post within the last week or so from me describing what happened). I started finding ground where I didn't think it should be. Anyway I have since taken out my generator to see what kind of shape it was in as well as trace every wire on the bike. I don't know exactly what is wrong yet but am not giving up. The next time I get a chance to get in the shop I will check my generator terminals to see if they are grounded and will let you know what I come up with. From my recollection of my testing over the past few days however I do think that both the A and F terminals on the generator showed continuity to ground. This, however, may be a reason why my new regulator got smoked. I'll keep you posted and keep an eye on this thread as well.
Chris
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From:
RE: generator regulator help
I just got back in from the shop. Please keep in mind that something in my wiring isn't correct, which is why I'm having problems. That being said, I show continuity between both the A and F terminals on the generator as well as between each terminal and ground.
I'm going to add to my other thread that I started to explain a little more of what is going on in my situation so I don't hijack your thread any more than I already have.
Chris
I'm going to add to my other thread that I started to explain a little more of what is going on in my situation so I don't hijack your thread any more than I already have.
Chris
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: generator regulator help
Here is what I was describing regarding the continuity of the wiring.
Between A and F you will certainly read a ground.
Between A and ground or F and ground you may get a reading, this is the part I am not sure about.
Between A or F and ground with cardboard stuck in at the commutator I think you will not read a ground condition.......pg
[IMG]local://upfiles/8331/09188E59CA0642BFA70DD71A305FD367.jpg[/IMG]
Between A and F you will certainly read a ground.
Between A and ground or F and ground you may get a reading, this is the part I am not sure about.
Between A or F and ground with cardboard stuck in at the commutator I think you will not read a ground condition.......pg
[IMG]local://upfiles/8331/09188E59CA0642BFA70DD71A305FD367.jpg[/IMG]
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From:
RE: generator regulator help
PG,
I just ran into the shop and as usual you are 100% correct ;-)
I apologize for misreading what you were trying to say before.
Chris
I just ran into the shop and as usual you are 100% correct ;-)
I apologize for misreading what you were trying to say before.
Chris
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