Polarizing Basics

I have always had terrible luck when polarizing either VR or Gen.

Note: This is not a "why would you want to do that" post. It's just for some learnin'.

1. If I want to switch my 6v generator tractor to neg ground, after I switch battery cables and reconnect do I
a. jump from generator Arm to battery Pos
b. jump from VR Gen to VR Bat

2. If I convert 6v to 12v neg gnd do I connect every component and THEN polarize, or, do I polarize with the VR and/or Generator isolated.

3. Relating to No. 2. After everthing is converted and connected is it best to polarize both VR AND Generator or is it not needed to polarize both components.

Thanks,
Dell

1.) Either way will work.

2.) Either way will work. NO reason not to connect everything up, THEN polarize, however.

3.) The GENERATOR is the only component that needs to be polarized, but polarization is typically done at the REGULATOR since both "ARM" and "BATT" are easily accessed there.

The IMPORTANT thing is to polarize the GENERATOR BEFORE initial startup of the engine after the electrical changes are made.

I agree with Mayor Bob, heres my short version regarding Polarization.

You Polarize BEFORE start up and its ONLY the Generator that requires Polarizing NOT the Voltage Regulator:

Use a little jumper wire etc to momentarily flash/jump from the BAT terminal on the VR or Cutout Relay over to the ARM/GEN terminal and you should get a spark.

If the VR's ARM terminal is hard to get to (like some 4 terminal VR's where ARM is underneath), you can jump off the VR's BAT direct down to the Gennys ARM post.

If the VR is just not avaialbe for access, you can Polarize the genny by jumping off any hot ungrounded battery voltage source, such as where the big battery cable is on the input side of a starter switch etc, down to the gennys ARM post.

NOTE: Some gents advise to ground the gennys FLD post, but this shouldnt be necessary if the VR is wired correct and grounded.

If you change battery polarity its reallyyyyyy reallyyyyyyy important to Polarize the Genny BEFORE start up.

Polarization imparts a degree of correct residual North/South Magnetic Polarity magnetism into the soft iron poles surrounded by the field windings so the gennys electrical (+/-) polarity is correct to charge the battery. If its not correct you can damage the VR, and thats why Polarization instructions are included with a new VR so you dont fry it even thought its actually the genny NOT the VR that gets polarized


Clear as mud Im sure

Ol John T

Bob and John,
That is exactly what I was looking for in an anwer.
Short, direct and simple.
The older I get the more I appriciate simple.

Thanks,
Dell

One more point of interest then I will give it a rest.

I have heard that VR's are built to run on a specific gnd.
When repolarizing a system does the VR accept the repolarizing as easily as the gen does?

I am copying all related posts into a 6v-12v folder.

Thanks,
Dell

Back in the day, the two halves of each point set were made of different materials to minimize material transfer and increase the service life. Which side got which material was determined by which way the current would flow. Thus regulators were specific to positive or negative ground. I doubt that regulators available now are built to that standard and grounding won't matter.

You heard right. Some VR's are clearly labled POS ground others NEG and some supposedly work on EITHER. They dont accept or reject (take to) how the Genny is Polarized, its just that if used for the ground theyre designed n built n lableled for its best, has some to do with the coatings used on the relay contacts Ive read and there may be some suppression diodes inside which are polarity sensitive which also contributes to VR polarity issues.

Im not very smart on Pos versus Neg ground VR's and all the differences aside from whats noted above, maybe Bob is???

Hang in there, glad were able to help but hey like I told my kids when thay used to ask 10,000 questions OLD DAD DONT KNOW EVERYTHING LOL.

John T

So polarization is always the same for a 3 OR 4 terminal VR?

YES its the same in that you still jump BAT to GEN/ARM in 3 or 4 terminal VR's, its just that one some 4's the ARM/GEN is underneath hard to get at so you can jump BAT instead direct down to the Gennys ARM post (which is where ARM on VR connects to anyway). Or as I mentioned below, jump any hot ungrounded voltage source (like where big battery cable attaches to start switch input) to the gennys ARM post.

John T