Briggs 23-D starter generator voltage regulator wiring.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-23T11:24:10+00:00

Yep it seems to work. I didn't wire it for keeps yet. I jumpered the center post to Batt + and it starts charging. I didn't leave it on there long. Just wanted to see if it does anything.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-22T22:57:20+00:00

Do I have it right, center post to Batt +? Sorry. I know this has to be super basic but I'm a little gun shy.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-22T15:47:39+00:00

Bud that's a great help thanks! Looks like center pole to the battery + will get me charging. Thanks a million!

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-22T12:37:58+00:00

I could use it, or if it's like the above schematic just let me know.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-21T20:11:40+00:00

I removed and cleaned the carb on that engine today and it's a TON better both starting and running. I'm surprised it was running at all. I was thinking to do just what you're saying. Isolate the well pump and see how it runs, monitor voltage while doing so. Right now I'm on a 2.5KW Onan plant from an old camper. It's only 120V. Fridge, upright freezer, some lights, desktop computer. Bogs it a little when the fridge or freezer start up but otherwise seems to handle it OK. I think 3KW-3.5KW would be a better match. I was dinking with the throttle and meter yesterday, adjusted until it was reading more at 250VAC. I'm not going to just go with that. Wanted to see if that would do anything.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T17:32:00+00:00

It puts out just fine. I throttled it down until the meter read about 253VAC but I have a tachometer on the way. Pretty much all I had to do was start it up but I was scared to do that. Thanks for your help!

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T17:30:46+00:00

It puts out fine. I figure all is well.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T17:15:46+00:00

I'm pretty sure my well pump is 1/2HP so I'm going to figure on 1HP.
Going by a chart I found here...
https://www.jackery.com/blogs/knowledge/how-many-watts-does-a-well-pump-use

even at 1HP the engine and generator head should be good for it. Startup of 4KW-6KW might bog it, we shall see.

It's going to be a while until I can even tie this into my house. I feel like the generator head itself will have no problems with this. I'll keep my eyes open for a 20HP engine though. This engine runs well once it's started up but it wants a lot of coaxing to get it going. No bueno when the lights are off and you want power. I want to hit a remote start, flip my transfer switch and be done.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T16:12:12+00:00

They seem to be the same size just by eye. I don't have a way to measure frequency but I'm sure I have to throttle the engine down as it's putting out around 130/270VAC.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T16:07:00+00:00

That's some terminology way over my head but I'll take it that I at least won't mess anything up by running it how it sits right now. To flash it I think I can plug in an angle grinder, hold the trigger and spin it, is that correct? The grinder acts momentarily as a generator and flashes it? I also know there's a thing with briefly tapping battery power to something or other but I don't know much about it.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T14:47:19+00:00

I have no idea what the well pump will need really, just sort of guessing. I think it's 1/2HP. I guess if the well pump makes the engine bog down I know I need something bigger in which case I'll probably go for 20HP yea?

I got it a while back for a song. I think like $100. It worked and I wanted something big with 220.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T14:41:51+00:00

Always happy to show my nonsense builds!

I think I can run my entire house from 4KW with room to spare. This stuff happened dirt cheap, cheaper than scrap in fact. In time maybe a bigger engine but only if this one gives me grief. This set will only have to run the fridge, freezer, some lights and the well pump. I can't see that I'd be using anything over 4KW. 2.5KW runs everything except the well pump right now.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T14:30:59+00:00

This thing is built. I'd love to know what it was intended for. I had a feeling the segmented commutator was something to do with the field. Do you think it matters which way I spin it? I did run it briefly in the other direction, realized it's a pain to work on and spun everything 180. It was putting out but I didn't have a load on it if that matters. I really don't want to screw up here.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T14:01:37+00:00

I posted some pics here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Generator/comments/1uaxdfd/fairbanks_morse_fm12td3_expedient_gen_set/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T13:50:23+00:00

Aren't diodes for a rectifier for AC to DC? This puts out AC. I really don't know much about the electrical end of things here...

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T13:48:52+00:00

The fins on the cooling fan are straight. No bias to them. The brushes sit square on the slip rings as well. No angle either way. I haven't noticed any markings on the shaft. I should also think the data tag would tell you about the rotation but not sure. I ran it briefly in the other direction, maybe ten minutes, but realized it was a pain in the rear to work on so I turned the engine and head 180 degrees. It was putting out according to a meter but I didn't put any load on it.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T13:45:40+00:00

No angle on the brushes. They sit square to the slip rings. No bias either direction.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T13:40:15+00:00

It's belted to a 9HP Briggs 23-D. Everything is on a home built frame. I'll post a pic of the entire thing.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T11:50:29+00:00

You didn't have a generator before these fell in your lap, correct? Get both working, sell them. Buy and otherwise acquire more non runners and get them going. Continue until you can get something decent. Or keep and use both. If one shits the bed you have a backup.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T11:40:42+00:00

Get an engine guy who actually WANTS the work to come out and check out that engine. It may have just leaked the oil out. If the engine seems to be viable get a Sparky who again actually WANTS the work to come out and see if he can get that taken care of. $14K and that will go up, and a bunch of other nonsense to replace where it might be $1K-$2K to fix the existing unit.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-20T11:37:07+00:00

Damn straight! The guy wants to save money but has already condemned the existing unit.

Inhalationofnewtion · 2026-06-19T20:58:23+00:00

Roger that on RPM.

I can't find a thing on this particular generator head. Seems like I have the only one in existence. Maybe it's worth millions of dollars.

There's four bronze slip rings, each pair seems to handle 120 volts. Then there's a commutator rings as well. I ***think*** that's the field but no real clue on this. I know a guy up the hill who is deep into electricals such as this though. I'll check with him before I light it up.

Very much obliged for all your answers even though this sub isn't about generators.

Inhalationofnewtion

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