Why does generator run and does not produce electricity?

The most common cause of portable generators failing to produce electricity is from the loss of residual magnetism. Generators work by moving electrical conductors through a magnetic field. Your generator does not have magnets. ... When the residual magnetism is lost, the generator will produce no power at start-up.

There are a few methods of restoring a generator residual magnetism

12 Volt Generator Battery Method

Locate the voltage regulator for your generator.Unplug the two wires that connect to the generator brushes. Normally one is red and the other is black or white.Connect the black or white to the generator ground battery terminal.Plug in a light, turn on the generator breaker or switch and start the motor.Connect the battery +12 volts (red cable) to the red wire on the terminals you removed for three seconds.Remove your wires and replace the plug. The generator should now be producing power again.

Make sure you unplug the brush wires from the automatic voltage regulator or you will damage the regulator. Do not contact the voltage regulator or other wires as dangerous voltages may be present that can cause electric shock.

Is there any inline fuses that may have tripped. I had a similar problem many years ago and I needed to have the internal windings restrung / rebuilt. After this procedure my unit ran flawlessly and even above normal spec outputs

The most common cause of portable generators failing to produce electricity is from the loss of residual magnetism.

Generators work by moving electrical conductors through a magnetic field. Your generator does not have magnets. The magnetic field is created by taking some of the generator output voltage and converting it to DC and feeding it to a coil to make an electromagnet.

When there is a small amount of magnetism left over from the last time the generator was running, it is called residual magnetism. The little bit of magnetism is enough to produce a small amount of electricity. This small amount of electricity is needed to create an even stronger electric magnet. As the engine turns this magnet moving its electric field, through the stator windings, your generator produces even more power.

When the residual magnetism is lost, the generator will produce no power at start-up. This residual magnetism can be lost naturally from not being used or from the load on your generator being connected when the generator is shut off. It can also happen from running a generator with no load for too long.

Generators need to work and it helps maintain that residual magnetism. When they are running, a load should be connected to it. It helps create an even stronger magnetic field. Before you shut it off, turn off the switch or breaker to disconnect the load. If you shut off a generator with the load connected, it can essentially drain or demagnetize the electromagnet. Try and avoid running out of fuel.

How to fix it:

There are a few methods of restoring a generator residual magnetism

12 Volt Generator Battery Method

Locate the voltage regulator for your generator.
Unplug the two wires that connect to the generator brushes. Normally one is red and the other is black or white.
Connect the black or white to the generator ground battery terminal.
Plug in a light, turn on the generator breaker or switch and start the motor.
Connect the battery +12 volts (red cable) to the red wire on the terminals you removed for three seconds.
Remove your wires and replace the plug. The generator should now be producing power again.

Hi!
Is it a portable Generator? If so we have a put together a guide here to assist you in these situations. It will guide you through testing and repairing the Generator. : https://www.generatorguru.com/need-help/Regards,
The Generator Guru Team

Why a generator won't produce electricity?
After the unit is running, the generator rotational speed reaches the rated speed, the AC exciter stator excitation circuit switch is closed, the voltage regulator is raised to the maximum direction, at this time, the generator has no output voltage or the voltage is very low. That's why a generator fails to produce electricity.

The voltage regulator for the generator is not work, replace it. Why, if there no dc voltage to excite the stator it won't any output. GB...stewbison

sounds like problem with c board still a problem

Could be several problems on the gen set itself. Check to see if there is a surge protection breaker or fuse, depending on age. Make sure all connecting wires are secure and switches are not set to 240v instead of 120v if you are trying to use outlets.

Glad to hear it was easy :-)
Here is a link to my trouble shoot solution so that this will get marked as solved.

Sometimes the generator loses the magnetic field that allows it to produce power. Do a Google search on "flashing a generator field". There are many ways to do it, but I would recommend doing some reading before trying it. Your "dead" generator could produce hazardous voltage once it comes back to life.

Also, before trying any of this, make sure the circuit breakers on the generator (if equipped) are not tripped.

Good luck and be careful!