6 volt Generator

When checking the voltage output on the generator and voltage regulator what post do you place the positive and negative leads from the multimeter on? What do you set the multimeter switch to? How much is too much for the generator to be charging at? I had a problem with it overheating. The guy that rebuilt it said it had to much paint on it where it bolted on the brackets and it wasn't grounded. I took it back for him to check it on his test stand it put out 18volts at first then we cleaned off the paint and it put out 13.5 volts. I am guessing the voltage reg. takes care of the excess voltage for a 6 volt system??

You should see about 7.25 volts to your battery with the engine at 1/2 throttle or better. Are you sure that's a 6 volt generator? Hal

The open unloaded output voltage of a genny depends on how fast its spinning (PLUS OTHER FACTORS) and isnt as informative or indicative of the gennys overall condition as what the voltage is WHEN ITS UNDER LOAD i.e. connected up to a battery/load.

A better voltage test is how much it raises the battery voltage and that for a good battery is around 6.3 volts (setting there engine not running) but when hooked to a good working genny at fast RPM it should rise to at least 6.5 up to 7 or so depending on the battery condition RPM and condition of genny.

So stick your meter on the battery and measure the voltage then fire it up and set it to fast RPM AND THE VOLTAGE SHOULD RISE. If it does shes charging but if not shes not.

The gennys output is across its ARM post and case frame ground. The battery voltage is across the battery but thats approximately the same as on the VR's BAT terminal and case frame ground. The open unloaded genny voltage (ARM to frame ground) can again be quite high but if its working the VR's ARM/GEN becomes internaly connected to its BAT terminal ONCE THE CUTOUT RELAY CLOSES which happens ONLY AFTER the gennys voltage rises to a certain voltage, if it doesnt the cutout remains open so the BAT terminal is essentiall the batetry voltage while the ARM/GEN terminal is essentially the gennys open unloaded output.

Run my Troubleshooting Procedure below. BOTH THE GENNY AND VR NEED GOOD FRAME GROUNDS REMEMBER

NOTE to be safe Id POLARIZE the genny before starting cuz at the shop it may have got polarized at the wrong polarity

http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=farmall&th=665110


John T
John Ts Charging Troubleshooting

Meter has to be set for DC volts. Ground the same meter lead as the battery has grounded.