How to fix a portable generator with no power

 

What stops generators from producing electricity/voltage?


The loss of residual magnetism is the main reason why portable generators don't produce power. Electrical conductors are moved through a magnetic field by generators. Magnets are not present in your generator. By converting a portion of the generator's output voltage to direct current (DC) and feeding it to a coil to construct an electromagnet, the magnetic field is produced. Residual magnetism is the trace quantity of magnetism that remains after the generator has stopped operating. The meager amount of magnetism is sufficient to generate a tiny amount of electricity. An even stronger electromagnet can be made using this little electricity. 

Your generator generates even more power as the engine rotates this magnet, which moves its electric field through the stator windings. When the remaining magnetism is gone, the generator won't start up and produce any power. The loss of this residual magnetism might occur spontaneously due to inactivity or when your generator's load is connected after it has been turned off. It can also occur if a generator is run too long without a load. 

Generators must run in order to preserve the residual magnetism. There ought to be a load linked to them when they are operating. The magnetic field becomes considerably more powerful as a result. Turn off the switch or breaker to disconnect the load before you turn it off.  There ought to be a load linked to them when they are operating. The magnetic field becomes considerably more powerful as a result. Turn off the switch or breaker to disconnect the load before you turn it off. It can effectively drain or demagnetize the electromagnet if a generator is turned off while the load is connected. Attempt to prevent running out of fuel.

How can you fix it?

A generator's residual magnetism can be recovered using a few different techniques.

Using 12 Volt Generator Batteries

  • Find your generator's voltage regulator. Remove the two wires from the generator's brushes.
  • One is usually red, and the other is usually black or white.
  • Connect the black or white to the battery terminal for the generator's ground.
  • Connect a light, activate the breaker or switch for the generator, and then start the motor.
  • For three seconds, attach the red wire on the terminals you removed to the battery's +12 volts (red cable).
  • Replace the plug after removing your cables.
  • Now, the generator ought to be generating power once more.

Make sure the automated voltage regulator is disconnected from the brush wires to avoid damaging the regulator. As there may be harmful voltages present that could result in electric shock, avoid making touch with the voltage regulator or other wires.

Using an Electric Drill

  • To use an electric drill, connect it to the generator's outlet.
  • Place the direction switch in the forward position if the drill is reversible.
  • Power up the generator. Spin the drill chuck counterclockwise while depressing the drill's trigger.
  • The generator will now start to generate power as a result of this exciting the field.
  • Try spinning the chuck in the other direction if spinning it in one direction does not work since you might have the reverse switch positioned backward.

Be careful not to catch your hand or any other objects in the chuck. The generator will start producing power and the drill will start operating as soon as the field is left. The electric motor in the drill will function as a miniature generator when spun backward, which is how this works. The drill's motor contains magnets that cause a voltage to be induced into the motor winding. This voltage is then transmitted back through the trigger cord and into the generator outlet. After that, it enters the stator's power winding. The iron core of the stator laminations amplifies the magnetic field produced by the voltage flowing through the power winding. As the rotor spins past the power winding, it crosses this magnetic field, creating a voltage in the rotor winding. Rotor flashing occurs when current flow is present in the winding of the rotor.

Replacing Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)

If above techniques do not work, then check the Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR). If the regulator is damaged, then replace it by new one in order to re energize the generator.

Prasun Barua

Prasun Barua is an Engineer (Electrical & Electronic) and Member of the European Energy Centre (EEC). His first published book Green Planet is all about green technologies and science. His other published books are Solar PV System Design and Technology, Electricity from Renewable Energy, Tech Know Solar PV System, C Coding Practice, AI and Robotics Overview, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Know How Solar PV System, Know The Product, Solar PV Technology Overview, Home Appliances Overview, Tech Know Solar PV System, C Programming Practice, etc. These books are available at Google Books, Google Play, Amazon and other platforms.

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