How to check a generator with a light bulb

The need to check the generator arises in many situations. The most common of them is diagnostics. Car service employees check the serviceability of equipment using special instruments. But ordinary car enthusiasts should be content with “folk” remedies. Therefore, the question is: “How to check a generator with a light bulb?” can stand in front of every motorist.

Checking the general performance of the generator with a light bulb

To carry out the procedure you will need:

• a light bulb with two wires (a small three-volt one will do; you can also use a regular 220-volt one);
• two wires approximately 50 centimeters long;
• car battery.

The electrical circuit for testing is assembled like this:

• a wire is pulled from the negative terminal of the battery and connected to the body (ground) of the generator;
• one wire from the light bulb is also connected to ground;
• the second wire is connected to the thread coming out of the generator and marked B+ on the body;
• The positive terminal of the battery is connected via a wire to a plug on the generator housing, marked with the letter D.

1 - battery, 2 - light bulb, 3 - generator

The check itself occurs as follows. After assembling the chain you need to start rotate the rotor generator When rotated, it begins to generate and supply current to the light bulb, and it lights up. You can rotate it manually.However, those who doubt that manual rotation of the rotor can start the generator can do this using a drill or screwdriver.

Light bulb burning means everything is working fine. No combustion indicates a malfunction, but which one cannot be immediately said - further diagnostics are required.

Should keep in mind, that this method cannot be used to check the performance of diode bridges, the absence of short circuits on the housing or in the winding. The technique only allows us to verify whether current is generated or not.

What is important to remember

When checking in this way, it is extremely important to be careful and observe safety precautions. If a would-be auto electrician confuses the plus of the battery with the minus, then as a result it may well fail. As a result, the “specialist” will be additionally “punished” with a ruble.

Also Do not touch bare wire sections with your hands, when the electrical circuit has already been assembled. Electric shocks themselves are quite unpleasant. And if you are very “lucky”, for example, to get hit while standing in a puddle in shoes that conduct electricity well, then the situation can generally turn out to be lethal. Therefore, if a car owner strongly doubts his technical abilities, it is better to entrust the diagnosis to specialists.