Technical Replace generator with alternator or fix it?

I know the regulator is functional as I did a test by grounding the field terminal to see if it charged at full when reving the engine. No output happened so issue as stated in my shop manual is in the generator. Now when I do your test with the belt off if it spins what would that indicate is wrong with it? Just the brushes?

 

I’m a little concerned with that question as to how much you understand what you’re working on.

If it spins it would not be a brush issue.

Here’s a deeper dive. Use at your own risk.

 

Ive actually used that video i found it very helpful in visually showing what my shop manual says. Thats how i came to the conclusion that the VR was operating. Ill ask my question differently then, what happens if when i test it with no belt it doesn't spin what does that indicate the issue is, i know its the generator thats obvious but does that point to any part specifically?

 

Mad Mike brings up a good possibility on reply #30. Here’s copy and paste.

 

The parts houses that still have an altertnator/generator tester in the back room can test it if they have someone who knows how to hook it up right or can read the instructions and follow them .That would tell you if it works or doesn't work.

Generator vs alternator on a 6 volt 1951 Cadillac, If you are keeping it all original and not adding accessories that need extra power keeping the generator keeps it "original".

Alternator even a 6 volt unit, = will charge at an idle or low rpm and keep the battery charged while cruising at night. A bit steadier power to the lights when you are running a night. Quite often with a generator when you let off the gas the lights dim noticeably until you hit the gas again.

On the other hand (plus this is new to me as I just found it) you can buy the kit off Ebay to convert any run of the mill Delco 10 SI alternator into a six volt negative ground self exciting alternator. 63.48 for the kit and most of us have a good Delco 10 SI alternator kicking around under the bench, on a shelf or in a box in the shed that could be reworked. The good is that you can run it without an issue and always convert the car back to a generator later . https://www.ebay.com/itm/1947603123..._ms=&msclkid=548557814c911dbfd77f3db11ec48a00

For a hard core 6 volt generator GM guy that is worth putting one together to stick in the trunk with the right pieces to stick it on your engine just in case the generator fails too far away from home to get you home.

 

I’m all for keeping the generator. I have three cars that have generators. As long as one is charging good keep it. Perseverance will pay off.

 

My vote is go with an alternator. Generator tech is pretty rough, regulators always seem sketchy. Hot rodding isn't married to resto, and generators aren't worth the resto look in my opinion. A rebuildable GM alternator lets you concentrate on the important stuff like pistons, cams, heads, intake systems, etc. And with my opinion and $5 you can get a cup of coffee anywhere in town!!

 

The test mentioned makes the generator a motor and it should spin. However, the fact that you have no output with the field wire grounded verifies that there is a problem in the generator. It will not p*** the motor test. You either have a problem with the brushes or the field. Something is probably open circuit.

 

Are the brushes making contact after re***embly. Spend a few minutes with an ohmmeter.

 

Well, your opinion is worth nothing where I come from. I live alone, no modern car or truck to borrow from a non existent wife or partner. Since 2007, my daily(s) was/are generator, not alternator. First one went to 2017 when road salt rot claimed it. Second one from then till now, the 32 in my avatar. The Walmart battery was new in 2016 still got me home today. Never had any issues with gen or reg. Some candy pants can't understand regulators, points or generators but seem to want others to be as misinformed and uneducated as themselves.

Not worth for resto? Meaning you say build non traditional...on a traditional only site?

There's too many on here or elsewhere, looking for a one wire alt because they are too clueless to understand wiring for more sophisticated alternator or the crowd that wants 4 wheel discs on a light roadster or wanting a "kit" to do absolutely anything on the car they just got.

My ****ing points and twin 49 Olds carbs have never been adjusted since it went on the road in 2016. Early Olds rocket, not running petronix either. Never even had a cellphone until three years ago, do now because son worries about my age. No overdrive because I geared it for my roads.

This place chases people Away. That is MY opinion. "Let's s**** all the trad stuff" it seems.

One last flame...that first generator car i had to junk from rust?... It was a 1970 car. It was German. It was points. It also was....wait for it...factory electronic fuel injection....and the experts probably think a generator couldn't possibly run computer efi. It did, right from factory.

I miss the old time guys here that have p***ed on...guys like our current moderator Moriarty. Place seems lacking with their silence.

Edit, before anybody getting all upset with this post. I did it because we are supposed to support old time stuff, and the sites members help
others with those things. The OP wanted help with a generator and many here are trying to help him, but there's always the guys who don't know what they are talking about and say s**** any generator. Why even post that nonsense if he "wants" to keep the generator? WTH is wrong with you. That's why i was PO.

 

PLEASE forgive me for posting my opinion. I'll try to refrain from now on!!

 

My favorite generator picture. Fortunately I was pretty close to home near the end of a 3000ish mile trip when this happened.

Have fun. Like I said before, what to do might depend on your intended use. If you never get too far from home, problems like this won't be a big deal.

also, the only other failures I've had with generators lately have been dirty voltage regulator contacts, and broken brush springs.

 

Thank you all for the advice on how to go about figuring out the issue. Tomorrow when I get home from work ill remove the generator from the car and see whats what. Hopefully its simple. If anyone has more suggestions on what to try or look for please do let me know im gonna try everything.

 

Wowsers! I bet that must've set up some kind of a racket.

 

nah, it just made the light come on, after a brief burning electrics smell. There were little copper particles all around the generator, though.

 

TGhat's wh

That's what I tried (poorly!) to say!!

 

The only time I had a problem with a generator after taking it apart and putting it back together, I somehow missed screwing down the pigtail on one of the brushes. They really aren't that complicated, and if it worked before you first took it apart it has to be something simple.

If you have the factory shop manual for your car it should have step by step tests and inspections for checking the generator's operation. If you don't have the manual, this is a link to the shop manual for a 1940 Oldsmobile, and the generator and testing procedures are pretty much the same. https://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manuals/Olds/1940/index.html One simple test you can do with the generator on the bench is hook it up to a battery and run it like a motor, this is outlined in the manual in the link.