Redmond49 Posted May 28, 2023 Report Share Posted May 28, 2023 I'm wondering if anyone has information about how to polarize a rebuilt generator on a '34 Plymouth? I know how to do this on a car with a three-post voltage regulator, but the '34 doesn't seem to have that and there is only a very vague line in the manual about a process that sounds like it is polarizing the gen. It looks like the silver box on top of the generator serves a similar purpose to the voltage regulator but not sure how to proceed. I've looked through several of the existing topics on polarizing generators but they don't seem to address the earlier cars. Any help would be appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TodFitch Posted May 28, 2023 Report Share Posted May 28, 2023 Who rebuilt the generator? A reputable shop should have polarized it as part of their final testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redmond49 Posted May 29, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2023 Romaine Electric in Kent, WA. They rebuild starters, generators, alternators, etc. as a mainline business and I've had several rebuilt there over the years; I don't think they polarize the units as this occurred with one other unit they rebuilt for me. I guess I can call to verify on Tuesday. The generator isn't charging, so my first thought is this would be the first troubleshooting step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TodFitch Posted May 29, 2023 Report Share Posted May 29, 2023 Interesting that they apparently don’t check their work. Looking at the 1934 Plymouth factory service manual, it appears that the power to the field coil comes from the third brush and that the voltage regulation within cutout & voltage regulator mounted on the generator is by switching a resistor into the field circuit if the voltage goes too high. Looking a this, I think you could set up the residual magnetism in the field cores (i.e. flashing the generator) by removing the brush cover and momentarily touching a hot wire to the wire coming off of the third brush. My 1933 is setup slightly differently (no external voltage regulation) but I guess I would have to flash my generator the same way if it needed it. But in the nearly 50 years I have owned the car I have never needed to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redmond49 Posted May 29, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2023 Thanks for the info - I'll probably give them a call on Tuesday to verify in case there is a warranty issue on the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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