Generator polarizing

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I just read about polarizing a generator. Does anyone know what points to jumper on regulator? I think this varries from brand to brand.



Thanks for all the advice, verry thankful for this forum site !!!!!

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  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    With the engine (generator) running at idle or slightly above, just briefly jumper the voltage regulator's BAT terminal to the ARM terminal. This works with any system if the voltage regulator (VR) is connected and in working order. If you want to remove the possibility that the VR may be faulty: for most Auto-Lite systems, including Hudsons, first install a jumper from the F (Field) terminal to ground, then proceed as above, i.e., briefly connect the BAT to the ARM terminal.
  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    I might add that the second procedure explained by Park is also the standard method of testing whether its your voltage regulator or your generator at fault if you're ammeter is not showing a charge. Ground the field, attach a jumper between Bat and Arm terminals. If ammeter shows a charge that varies with engine speed, generator is OK, but VR is faulty. If still no charge, probably generator.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    One caution one has to observe when doing the "grounded field" test is NOT to do it with the battery disconnected. Without the battery serving as a stabilizing load, if you were to run the engine up to, say, 1500 rpm, the generator voltage can get pretty high ... like 30-40v, and blow every light bulb you might have on, possibly damage the voltage regulator, instruments, etc.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I installed a rebuilt six-volt, positive ground Delco-Remy regulator on our 1954 Kaiser last year, and the polarizing instructions VERY SPECIFICALLY said that the car should *NOT* be running and the ignition switch shoud *NOT* be on. The battery should, of course, be hooked up and the BAT and ARM terminals on the regulator should very briefly be jumpered for a second or two. Take extra care not to accidentally hit the "F" (field) terminal!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    This jives with the tag on my NOS Hudson regulator which is still in the original box with the Hudson polarizing tag still on it. It states the engine should NOT be running when you polarize a newly installed regulator. That been said I doubt a brief jumpering while running would hurt anything. But always best to err on the side of caution. In my own experience I have always done this operation with the engine off.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Well, I can't argue with the guys who manufacture the stuff, but "while running" is the way I learned it eons ago and the way I've always done it, with no negative consequences. I actually found my 1954 vintage aircraft electrician tech manual, and says to do it with the generator running. But a not-so-old Motor manual and an even more recent Delco tech manual say to NOT have the generator running. So I'm outvoted (and maybe outdated!). Oh, and also, one more time, it's not the regulator you're polarizing, it's the generator. There's nothing in the regulator that holds any residual magnetism that could get "out of polarity."
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