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Posted By: greencorn Generator - 06/01/16 09:19 PM
Will the generator be damaged if the battery becomes disconnected while the engine is running (I have a fuse in the circuit, will it blow the fuse first)?

ron
Posted By: Ed_Osier Re: Generator - 06/02/16 03:06 AM
If I remember correctly, years ago,
I disconnected the battery with the engine running and it did not damage the generator and the car kept running on the output from the generator. I don't think it will hurt the generator.
Posted By: chevy1937 Re: Generator - 06/02/16 12:09 PM
I agree. Did that more than once.
Posted By: tonyw Re: Generator - 06/02/16 12:44 PM
I have never damaged a generator by disconnecting whilst running, dont know of any alternators either for that matter. Admittedly I dont make a practice of it either just in case I get caught.
Tony
Posted By: Junkyard Dog Re: Generator - 06/02/16 02:53 PM
I strongly recommend against it!

laugh wink beer2
Posted By: greencorn Re: Generator - 06/02/16 06:17 PM
I posted this question on another website and the majority response was that it will do no harm: So which is it, can't be both, either it definitley will damage the generator or it will not. Guess I'll just try it out and find out for myself. I thought someone would know for sure.
Posted By: Junkyard Dog Re: Generator - 06/03/16 06:22 PM
I had the ground cable get disconnected from the battery once and because the battery was no longer in the circuit to act as a ballast, the generator put out excessive voltage and fried every light bulb in the vehicle that was on at the time. Anyway, go ahead and try disconnecting the battery while the car is running if you feel that you must. Don't know why you would want to do it though.

laugh wink beer2
Posted By: greencorn Re: Generator - 06/03/16 08:39 PM
Thanks Dog. The generator (old North East) is in an old FWD truck and not connected to any electrical except the starter. The generator has a fuse on top and was wondering what would happen if the fuse blows or becomes disconnected from the battery. I'd never find another one so didn't want to worry about burning mine up in case something became unconnected.
Posted By: Chipper Re: Generator - 06/03/16 10:50 PM
Generators that regulate output with a properly wired and adjusted third brush are not as likely to "run away" and destroy themselves. With a voltage regulator that might not be the case.
Posted By: Junkyard Dog Re: Generator - 06/03/16 11:32 PM
Generators with a third brush will usually go to maximum voltage if the battery is not in the circuit to act as a ballast.

laugh wink beer2
Posted By: Chipper Re: Generator - 06/04/16 12:12 AM
That is what I was trying to get people to understand. The 3rd brush limits the amount of power to the field coils and therefore output. Output = heat that can overheat the generator. That is particularly the case for the early non-ventilated versions.
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