Autolite single pole generator

Terraplane33

Is there any information about 6V single pole generators around ?
I could find many information on the internet but nothing really specific about 6V single pole positive grounded units. My generator does not work and might need to be polarized ? (as the car has been sleeping for a while...)
Thanks for your help !

SuperDave

I have no knowledge of the early Hudson generators, but I bet they are similar to the Model A Ford of the era. Three brushes with the third adjustable to set the chargeing rate. Only a simple relay, mounted on top,called a "cut out" to turn it on and off. Check the Model A Ford sources for trouble shooting.. www.ahooga.com or www.fordbarn.com. Good Luck.

35 Terraplane

I've attached a PDF of the wiring from my 35 Terraplane that is equipped with a third brush generator. I've polarized it by running a lead from the negative terminal on the battery and briefly touching the "A" terminal on the generator. The "A" termianl has the wire connected tom it the runs to the cutout relay. On my car the cutout is mounted on the engine side of the dash.

Geoff

If you only have one terminal on the generator it is the one that connects to the "Gen" terminal on the cut-out. To polarise, just momentarily connect the negative (live) side of the battery to the generator terminal. It is easy to convert these three-brush generators to automatic control if you have a suitable regulator.

Terraplane33

Sorry, yes one terminal, not only one pole...:oops:
It's indeed a third brush generator. Does it need to be done while engine running or stopped ?

I have a new 6V regulator but need to add a wire from the third brush to the regulator right ?
What are the practical advantages of this change ?

Geoff

You must polarise the generator with the engine stopped. To convert to regulator control you need to modify the generator internally. To do this you need to take the wire from the third brush and connect it to the output brush. throw away the third brush. Then find where the field coil is connect to earth and disconnect this. Now drill a hole through the casing and fit an insulated sleeve and washer, and make a terminal to connect the field winding to. this connects tot he F terminal on the regulator, and the other existing terminal connects to the A on the regulator. Adjust the regulator to 20 amps maximum output or you could cook your generator.

35 Terraplane

I see in the Mechanical Procedures Manual the better model 35 Terraplanes used External voltage control and list a different Autolite generator model number. Can you swap the existing third brush generator / cutout relay setup with external voltage control type generator setup?

Geoff

Yes, you can swap the generator with any later model generator and regulator up to 1955.

[Deleted User]

The 33 T was negative ground system. The cutout relay had a separate set of points that controlled the ground circuit for the Gen light on the dash. I think 1933 T was the only year for negative ground.

dterry-2011

My 35 Terraplane has one terminal. Battery has stayed charged for the 2 years I have had it. Never seen this before so I took it to a generator shop, they said it tested good.