[TheForge] Generators

[Charle B Vincent]

Generators work by spinning a magnetic field inside a field coil.  The 
magnetic field is created by electricity once it is running, but before 
then it must come from somewhere.  Most generators will have enough 
residual magnetism left in the rotor from the last time they ran to 
start the process.  However, things can happen that cause them to loose 
this magnetic field.  The cure is to hit the rotor windings with a pulse 
of DC, thereby givin magnetizing the armature/rotor.   I have an old 
Onan generator calibration and test set that uses a 6volt lantern 
battery to do this.  Some generators have an exciter to do this ( or at 
least used to) which is a small dc permenant magnet  generator.  The 
connections for each generator are different so without knowing your 
generator it would be doubtful you could get instructions on how to do 
it yourself.  Also some modern generators use the generator as a starter 
motor to start the gas engine, which will also leave a residual magnetic 
field.  The procedure on the antique generators I have worked on is 
simple, but I expect your unit has been built in the last twenty years 
or so.

Charles

Phlip wrote:

>Winter is a coming in, and we're expecting our usual few days without
>electric when the lines go down. We have a generator, but it needs something
>done to it, and I'm hoping you characters can explain in words of one
>syllable or less, just exactly what.
>
>The thing runs fine, but it generates no electricity- the story we have is
>because there is something wrong with the electric field- it needs to be
>"reflashed" or "reflushed" or something. Can you guys tell me what's wrong,
>and what needs to be done to fix it?
>
>Saint Phlip,
>CoD
>
>"When in doubt, heat it up and hit it with a hammer."
> Blacksmith's credo.
>
> If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably not a
>cat.
>
>Never a horse that cain't be rode,
>And never a rider who cain't be throwed....
>
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