O.K. I am missing something basic I am sure but I don't get this. The T Generator is always in gear and spinning as the engine is running. Why have I read in several sources that the use of a grounding switch to stop the gen process will prevent over charging and (here is the part I don't get) also take the load off the engine. How is there any more or less drag on the engine if the generator is charging or not? Please make this more obvious for me........Also, how does a V.R. figure into this effect?
Thanks in advance
Erich: Takes power to make power. You can see or better hear this when you have a generator on a test stand. If the gen is not putting out the motor will run like it has no load. When the gen cuts in, putting out power it will slow down the motor. Hope this helps, Dan.
One end of the generator coils is always grounded through the grounded brush, both the field and the armature are grounded at that point. The other end is connected through the cutout to the battery. The current flows from the ground through the coils to the battery. When you ground the output of the generator, both ends of the coils are grounded, thus no current flows through the generator. When the output is grounded, the armature turns, but there is no magnetic field since both ends of the coils are grounded so there is less drag on the engine.
Norm
AAHHHH, Thanks you guys.
Now how about the effect with a V.R. in place? Same thing? The V.R. is grounding as needed to prevent overcharging. Can the effect on the engine power be noticed as the V.R. does its thing?
Used to do that gen-wire-to-ground thing to keep the battery from getting fried on long day tours. Didn't want to run the headlamps, so ground it with a switch.
The T didn't seem to have any more power either
toggle switch under dash to ground the gen.
Nowdays, the Fun Project VR is the way to go, saves the battery, saves the generator, is trouble free. No cutouts to stick, no fried battery.
I have hooked up a rheostat in the third brush circuit.
Vary the charging rate while you're driving.
I agree with Dan, the VR works great. I drive of a night on a regular basis and after years of generator cutout related dramas and juggling the the overflow of current it makes for one less thing to worry about. Inexpensive as well!Chris.
I agree with Dan and Cris. My battery cost more than the VR. One less thing to worry about.
John