How to Test Your Generator for Alternator Problems
Your alternator is a great way to ensure all your home or office equipment is working once the power goes off. You know that you want it to be operational when your power goes off. Therefore, you do need to have various generator repair skills for your generator. The most common problem in a generator is the alternator. You do not want the problem to interrupt your business or your home equipment when the lights go off, do you? Here are some of the main tactics of generator repair for alternator problems.
What an alternator does
Your alternator keeps generator's battery charged. Therefore, to avoid any generator repairs, this is the first thing you need to check. Therefore, when the alternator is not running, it is the main reason apart from fuel that your generator will not power on effectively.
Signs that your alternator is not working properly
Slow or hard cranking will show that your alternator is not working properly while well fueled. Your generator alternator light will dim or flash on and off if not properly functioning. Therefore, this is the main reason the generator is not running. Overcharging may be another problem; nonetheless, if this is the case, complete replacement of the alternator is the only thing that can solve the problem.
Testing your alternator
If you do not have the right equipment, a specialist in electric motor repair can help you in generator repair. You need a voltmeter to test the battery. Ensure the generator engine is running while testing the alternator. If the voltage goes above the normal charge that makes it work, the alternator that has a problem with your generator.
Newer alternators may have overrunning pulleys on them. As such, they spin four times more than anything that is driven by a belt. It either runs rapidly or is accelerated or decelerated depending on how fast the generator engine is running. Therefore, when running slowly, the generator decelerates. These pulleys may fail by overrunning, end up interlocking, and fail the operations of your generator.
A specialist in electric motor repair will inform you to replace the belts if this happens. In addition, the generator repair will point you directly to your alternator. Finally, there are wiring tests that show that your generator is not working. As such, ensure you enlist specialists in electric motor repair if you are not aware of such procedures. Most of the problems your generator will give will point to the alternator. To avoid them, do the tests above.
