Polarizing wiring Help

[powermax_paul 1]

Gee Herb, I just learned something! My B207 is my first experience with a starter generator. I'm glad I looked at this message. I wouldn't have known to do that but it certainly makes sense! Those electrical guys, even back then, were inventing ways to trip-up us mechanical guys. Weren't they? Paul

[jlasater 338]

Paul, I learned a long time ago that I'd rather do electrical work than mechanical. It's lighter and cleaner. When I was a line mechanic I used to just lay a screwdriver across the "B" & "G" terminals on a regulator to polarize after I rebuilt a generator (we didn't replace assemblies in the "old days"). Now, if someone would just post for help on a Skyliner.............. http://www.carswithfins.com/Images/59_Skyliner/top-animation.gif

[johnb110 0]

Why should you polarize the wiring on the old starter generator units? Exactly what is polarizing and how do you do it? If you don't what damage could be done?

[SmilinSam 4,244]

Polarizing is as easy as striking a match. Rather than just tell how it's done, and to answer your other questions, read this brief overview, or this detailed explanation by Al Eden. Note: A generator can loose it's polarity just from being unused for a period of time. It won't hurt a thing to re-polarize if in doubt. NEVER attempt to polarize an alternator.