generator q.

What usually goes when a generator burns out. I mean if its not the
brushes or the regulator, what part the windings or the commutator that
is the culprit? what are the odds.

--
when you believe the only tool you have is a hammer.
All problems look like nails.

A Veteran wrote:

> What usually goes when a generator burns out. I mean if its not the
> brushes or the regulator, what part the windings or the commutator that
> is the culprit? what are the odds.
>

Bar-to-bar shorts in commutator.
Winding-to-winding short in armature.
Winding-to-ground short in armature (or Field).

Can be difficult to diagnose without shop equipment.
Usually not worth the trouble.

Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

In article >,
Speedy Jim > wrote:

> A Veteran wrote:
>
> > What usually goes when a generator burns out. I mean if its not the
> > brushes or the regulator, what part the windings or the commutator that
> > is the culprit? what are the odds.
> >
>
> Bar-to-bar shorts in commutator.
> Winding-to-winding short in armature.
> Winding-to-ground short in armature (or Field).
>
> Can be difficult to diagnose without shop equipment.
> Usually not worth the trouble.
>
> Speedy Jim
> http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

Why thank you Jim for your trouble. You are a wealth of information.
Ya know I did build a test stand. an old washing machine motor to spin
the generator for a moment to read a voltmeter.
works great! but alas it is not a growler.

--
when you believe the only tool you have is a hammer.
All problems look like nails.

A Veteran wrote:

> In article >,
> Speedy Jim > wrote:
>
>
>>A Veteran wrote:
>>
>>
>>>What usually goes when a generator burns out. I mean if its not the
>>>brushes or the regulator, what part the windings or the commutator that
>>>is the culprit? what are the odds.
>>>
>>
>> Bar-to-bar shorts in commutator.
>> Winding-to-winding short in armature.
>> Winding-to-ground short in armature (or Field).
>>
>> Can be difficult to diagnose without shop equipment.
>>Usually not worth the trouble.
>>
>>Speedy Jim
>>http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/
>
>
> Why thank you Jim for your trouble. You are a wealth of information.
> Ya know I did build a test stand. an old washing machine motor to spin
> the generator for a moment to read a voltmeter.
> works great! but alas it is not a growler.
>

HaHa!
Well done.

A washing machine motor, no less.

Now, if I can just lay my hands on my 1903 Handbook,
I'm certain there is a set of plans for a growler. :-)

Jim

Might be nothing wrong with it. Never had to do this but I understand there
is a process called "flashing". If the generator hasnt been used for yonks
it loses enough residual magnetism to start producing energy when motor
starts. The idea (if I recall correctly) is to start the motor, then with a
small battery ( neg to earth, loose wire on pos ) flash the pos lead onto
the field terminal. This produces enough current and flux for the thing to
start working. Having shorts between commutator segments etc is rare as
rocking horse @#$t.

Cheers
John
"Speedy Jim" > wrote in message
news
>A Veteran wrote:
>
>> In article >,
>> Speedy Jim > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>A Veteran wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>What usually goes when a generator burns out. I mean if its not the
>>>>brushes or the regulator, what part the windings or the commutator that
>>>>is the culprit? what are the odds.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Bar-to-bar shorts in commutator.
>>> Winding-to-winding short in armature.
>>> Winding-to-ground short in armature (or Field).
>>>
>>> Can be difficult to diagnose without shop equipment.
>>>Usually not worth the trouble.
>>>
>>>Speedy Jim
>>>http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/
>>
>>
>> Why thank you Jim for your trouble. You are a wealth of information.
>> Ya know I did build a test stand. an old washing machine motor to spin
>> the generator for a moment to read a voltmeter.
>> works great! but alas it is not a growler.
>>
>
> HaHa!
> Well done.
>
> A washing machine motor, no less.
>
> Now, if I can just lay my hands on my 1903 Handbook,
> I'm certain there is a set of plans for a growler. :-)
>
> Jim