Runs great but no output unless I flash the field each time I start it

Flash Your Generac Portable Generator with a Corded Drill ...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LR62sm7USU
Oct 31, 2012 - Uploaded by Generacpowersystems
If your portable generator runs but doesn't produce output voltage, you can use a corded drill to reintroduce ...

Re-energizing Dead Generators - End Times Report

www.endtimesreport.com/dead_gen.html

Follow these steps to flash the generator: Plug the electric drill into the generatorreceptacle. (Cordless drills do not work) If the drill is reversible, move the direction switch to the forward position. Start the generator. While depressing the trigger on the drill, spin the drill chuck in reverse direction.

Generator flashing

www.dieselduck.info/machine/03%20electricity/flashing_generator.htm

To restore the small amount of residual magnetism necessary to begin voltage buildup, connect a 12 volt battery to the exciter field while the generator is at rest, as follows: Remove exciter field leads F+ and F- from the voltage regulator.

Flash A Generator - Davidson Sales Co Power Generation .

Most likely it needs the battery to do that itself.

First verify that the breaker for the outlets is not tripped and make sure that the generator is running at full operating speed. let it run for 5-10 minutes and check for output power. If there is nothing, there are two possible problems. One could be that the automatic voltage regulator is bad. The other is that the field needs to be flashed - a high possibility if the generator has not been run in a long time. There are many videos on the internet that show you how to solve both of these problems. Just do a search for No output from a portable power generator.

Hi and welcome to FixYa, I am Kelly,

Since I don't have a model number to work with I am going to assume this is a generator with brushes. (I need your model number!)
Having said that... TRY THIS:
1. Plug in an electric drill to the output power plug and turn on the output power switch with the generator running.
2. Squeese the drill trigger switch and rotate the drill chuck as fast as you can. This will flash the field of the generator and often output power starts right away. NOTE: When power starts it will try and twist the drill chuck out of your hand. Just let go of the trigger and the drill chuck.

If you have an inverter type power head the steps are different for flashing the field. The easiest way is to do a male to male power cord from utility supply power connection and turn on the output power switch to re-establish a field in the PMG of the rotor.

There are other steps but without a model number this is what I am sending off at the moment. Respond with a model number if the steps above do not work and I will help you.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

Check fuse. If there is an indicator, instrument or light, on the output, check what it says. Loose contact is a possibility.

There is a technique for energizing the field, as just flashing a brushless will not work.

It involves two series 150 watt lamps between the utility power and the running generator. You can find it with Google.

That "Turn Signal Flasher", sounds to me, suspiciously like a Capacitor, especially if it has "Blown" I think your "Black Box" has taken a hit & is stopping the output. I would think replacement is your only option.. well unless you can replace the parts and fix it?

1. Check for any blown fuse and replace. It can be traced directly from the output lines.
2. Check field excitation. The field excitation is supplied by the battery to the excitation coil through a pair of carbon brushes. If the brushes are worn out, no excitation field is supplied and no output is generated. Replace carbon brush if found worn-out.
3. Use an analog multitester to check the continuity of the carbon brush and the field coil.
   

Okay, this is going to sound kind of hard but you can do it...you need to flash the field and try to get some 'excitation' back to the windings. It's a bit of a deal but here's how:

With gen not running, plug the battery charge plug in to the charger output and you need to reverse the leads at the battery. Hook the BLACK to the positive post. Then, just touch the red to the negative terminal for a second or two. That's it!
Then...start gen and check output. If it just needed a flash, that will do it, I'm serious!


If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/craig_3fa289bf857b1a3c

It is possible that your voltage regulator is shot but before purchasing the volt regulator try flashing the fields first and make sure the brushes and rings are clean.