Generator Testing

[Dave F.]

I tried the search features of the forum but. I couldn't find the procedure for testing a Generator by motoring? What would the procedure be. Thanks Dave F.

[Gary Dotson]

Is the generator on or off the tractor? If it’t still mounted to the tractor, disconnect both generator leads and remove the belt. Connect the test lead from the generator “a” terminal to the post on the starter switch, the generator should motor, now with a second test lead, connected to a good ground, connect momentarily to ground. The generator should continue to motor but should slow down. If it does both of these, it should work. If the generator is off the tractor, just mimic these same conditions with the addition off a grounding lead. If the generator fails this test, make sure it has a good ground, it has to ground through the case.

[Jim Becker]

. . . now with a second test lead, connected to a good ground, connect momentarily to ground. . . .

The intent here is to connect the second test lead from a good ground to the generator "F" terminal.

By the way, I tried the search function and got several descriptions of this test on the first page of results. The results from a search depend on which words you choose to enter (obviously). Use key words you would expect to find in the answer, which are not always the same ones you would find in a question. I searched for "motor* test generator". Note the "*" on the word "motor". It is a wildcard so it will hit words like "motoring" as well as "motor". Sometimes this is not helpful. I tried adding it to "test" and got a lot more hits that weren't helpful, usually when the word "tested" shows up in somebody's question. I lifted the phrase "testing a Generator by motoring" straight out of your post and using it to search. "A" and "by" were discarded by the search as being too common. I got 3 non-helpful posts from the 3 remaining words. I then changed to "test* a Generator by motor*" and got a lot back with too many non-helpful posts. Taking the "*" off of "test" got a list of returns that included several of the proper test procedure on the first page.

One of the google VIPs was once asked how to use google effectively. He said to do like Jeopardy, put your questions in the form of an answer. In other words, put in key words you expect to find in an answer. The same can help here.

[Bill V in Md]

Regarding search (for future reference), if you go to the bottom of the page on your post, you will find a section entitled Similar Topics. In that section there is a post with the answer to your question. It is titled Generator and is the next to last one listed.

[Gary Dotson]

Jim, thanks for correcting my typing error! Just mindless typing!