Generator Problems and Choices

   / Generator Problems and Choices #11  
The rectifier comes to mind. I replaced two of them in my old generator before I quit using it. Easy to swap out and the last one didn't cost but 8 dollars. It can be checked out of the generator with an ohmmeter.
 
   / Generator Problems and Choices #12  
Could someone please explain how to "re-excite" a generator? And should it be running while doing this? I have a generator with similar problems (on and off power).
Thanks, Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
   / Generator Problems and Choices
  • Thread Starter
#13  
Ken,

On my generator, there is a small cover plate on the head of the generator to access the generator brushes. To "re-excite" the generator I connect wires to the + and - poles on an outside DC power source (either 6V or 12V battery) and start the generator. I then connect the - wire to the negative brush using an aligator clip, then touch the + brush with the wire from the postive pole on the battery. You should see a small spark(s) when doing this. The following is a link to an online manual for my generator which contains the instructions on how to "re-excite" the generator. I hope this helps.

Generator Manual

Chris
 
   / Generator Problems and Choices #14  
Thanks for the info Chris, I will give it a try.
Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
   / Generator Problems and Choices #15  
I had a 5K gen. and a 30 yr. old Sears AC welder. Generator wouldn't run the whole house with a/c on or if freezer and fridge compressors came on at the same time. Welder was old and was only AC so I gave the welder to a neighbor, sold the Gen. to another and bought a Miller Bobcat 250 NT. Lucked out the day I bought it, power went out for 6.5 hrs. that day and it was in the 90's. Was glad to run the whole place with 2 A/C's on. I Have also taken it on the road for a few welding jobs as well. Ask your dealer if they have a factory reconditioned unit. Mine had 18 hrs. on it when I bought it and saved me $500. off new and came with a warranty. You can get parts for your Coleman. I rebuilt a 2K Coleman gen. a few years ago that the armature had gone bad due to overloading. (It didn't have circuit breakers but did after I repaired it)
 
   / Generator Problems and Choices #16  
I have been using gererators for over 30 years at my cabin and have the same problem almost every spring the "cure" is to flash the field witch on most generators with brushes is the rotating part. take end cover with recepticals off look at and were brushes hook to. hook two different wires to each brush connection. bring them out of generator (I ran them out a cooling louver) and keep away from moving parts put end cover back on start motor take voltage reading on wires note positive if any take a 12 v battery and hook up negitive lead to it and just bump positive for a 1/2 second this will remagnitize the field and it should start making power at this point. if this dosent work look for a varnish like substance on slip rings keeping voltage from getting to field.
 

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