Generators are fascinating in how they work, but there are so many different variations and ways of doing things it's hard to do a comprehensive overview in a single video. They will certainly keep you on your toes! I hope you guys enjoy the video, and have an absolutely excellent weekend folks!!

@craigking391

Жыл бұрын

Learned a lot by watching this. Great work.

@Melicoy

Жыл бұрын

Should have sent it to james c

@TerryLawrence001

Жыл бұрын

Weren't those short white wires actually fusible links? I believe that wire could be directly on the stator winding and has the full current of the generator available. I have seen the fireworks when that wire gets it's insulation eaten. Big bright plasma flash!

@georgereiss998

Жыл бұрын

If you want your head to explode add a tertiary winding. That makes an amplidyne (sp). That makes crazy power and when I learned how they work I was told PFM.

@Vectrum0013

Жыл бұрын

for more generator videos I recommend @SmallEngineMechanic

Career mechanic, you gave the best explanation, schematic, and diagrams I’ve ever seen. You should have called this episode “ come learn ac systems, dc systems, engine diagnosis, and plumbing in under an hour” . Big fan!

@mattyal9347

Жыл бұрын

I agree. Hid diagrams spoke volumes

@timothyboone5003

Жыл бұрын

bob jones I couldn’t agree more. After seeing so many KZread videos of people thinking they know more about whatever their subject is, than they really do. It nice to see one where the person has actual useful working knowledge of the subject. I’ll be exploring this man’s KZread content. I hope he has more.

@pedroAnibal5021

7 ай бұрын

Bobjones_xc9fp

@loganschalk2955

6 ай бұрын

I'm right their with you. Mechanic and going to school for engineering, he explained ac/DC power plants and controls better than any book Ive read has. I've paid a lot of teachers to learn what he just gave for free in 10 minutes.

Nice save and great video. Fantastic job with the illustrations and explaining how a brushed and brushless generator works.

@FarmCraft101

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jim! That's great to hear from somebody who really knows what they are talking about when it comes to generators. I feel like I know just enough to be dangerous! ;-)

@kd2eat

Жыл бұрын

@@FarmCraft101 As a fan of James' channel, I was hoping you had run into it. I really appreciated your diagrams of the brushed and brushless generators! I've watched James test those windings a million times and said to myself "One of these days, I need to understand that better". Your walk-through helped a lot! Glad the repair was fairly inexpensive for a nice beefy generator for your buddy!

@johnnybgoode6466

Жыл бұрын

I watch both channels James and Jon - always a learning experience.

@TimPerfetto

Жыл бұрын

@@kd2eat My cat is very old and grumpy and refuses to eat his hair -- he also has loose bowel movements

@akhtarkh

Жыл бұрын

​@@kd2eat James has never explained how well John has explained the working of a generator.

I never get tired of watching Farmcraft101. It doesnt matter how long the videos are. Keep doing the great Job you are doing John. Thank you

I'm an electrical engineer covering generator controls along with other stuff for an offshore drilling company. Your explanation and troubleshooting for that stand-by gen were spot-on; same approach our guys use troubleshooting the big diesels offshore. =) The cool thing was seeing all the same principles duplicated in miniature. The 15kW stand-by wasn't that much different from one of our 7,000kW gens, except we pull exciter power from a PMG.

@jackpatteeuw9244

Жыл бұрын

Most under 10KW are brushed. The engine will probably wear out before the slip rings or brushes.

@mikefochtman7164

11 ай бұрын

Totally agree. Worked on some old EMD stationary power (4000 kW). Basically railroad engines with the generator swapped out for AC power. Things were kept pre-lubed and went from standby to nearly full load in 10 seconds.

@user-gy9qv4ml5y

7 ай бұрын

Nuke plant I worked at had 2 trans America Deleval/Cooper/Enterprise that were V24 4 stroke to memory. Had full temperature control if oil and coolant to have diesel and generator ready to go from full emergency start to full load about 10,000Kw in 10 seconds to memory. They were massive and had all sorts of pneumatic sensors for protection along with a pneumatic computer. The V12 tandem GM EMD 2 stroke was much simpler and louder but purred like a kitten. It had about 6,800kw to 7,200kw to memory. Been 20 plus years since I worked in either of them. The DELEVAL STARTED AS HUGE CARGO SHIP ENGINES that were built and certified for nuclear power emergency back up power. Both were air start with the Deleval injecting air into the cylinders and the EMD’s each having two robust air start motors driving their flywheels. You could tell which of the three diesels fire up by their sound. The EMD started really loud then quite down. The Deleval had two massive turbo chargers per engine while the EMD ALSO HAD TWO TURBO CHARGER PER V12 engine. All had oil sump, coolant heaters and circulating pumps with the turbos having a soak back or drip feed to their bearing for hot starts before the main engine driven oil pumps kicked in. The coolant electric circulating coolant pumps would also turn off when the engine drive coolant pumps came to speed and system pressure. Much of the test run protection in the Deleval would be bypassed by the pneumatic computer during an emergency run. It either ran or failed. I think the only protection that remained in the Deleval were the main crank and connecting rod temp sensors were lad melt type which would vent the air pressure holding the pneumatic computer in energency run when I tgat mode and perhaps the turbo vibration sensors and turbo oil/bearing temps but it’s just been too long and I worked more on the nuclear instrumentation snd reactor controls than the other equipment.

@REVNUMANEWBERN

5 ай бұрын

😳😳💕💕💕💕Loved your detail sharing@@user-gy9qv4ml5y

@Joellikeschinaheaters

5 ай бұрын

I pump out septic tanks, and your description of a generator are amazing!

Everybody needs a friend like you John. That’s the reason I like your channel so much. I really enjoy the logic in your work. You might not exactly know how something works, but with persistence you’ll work it out. I wish you were my neighbour!

I've worked on generators for years and your explanations are correct. Your troubleshooting is very good. Farmers fix it all.

Your teaching ability is simply amazing. Videos like this are what truly makes the internet great.

You've really improved your drawing skills. Maybe the wife will put on refrigerator! Excellent video, as always.

@FarmCraft101

Жыл бұрын

Haha! I knew I needed good diagrams for this one, and trying to make a digital version would have taken forever. So...there might have been some tracing paper involved.... ;-)

@orangetruckman

Жыл бұрын

@@FarmCraft101 -The effort put into your videos is pretty apparent. Hence why you’re getting repeat customers 😎

We have used the kzread.infoUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!

I’ll never have to do the things you are doing on your farm, but every video you make is so fascinating to watch because of your editing and voice overs. Thanks for all the effort you put into these!

The best guy to watch on generator repairs is: "Small Engine Mechanic" on KZread. He works on all kinds; rebuilds everything; has load banks that make Condon's look Mickey Mouse. That's what he does for a living. Been watching him for years & have learned a lot more that what I get from Condon. Not to be disrespectful, but if I'm going under the surgeon's knife, I want a Doctor, not the local butcher, though both may be the best in their fields. Check him out & you'll see the difference real quick.

@oregonwinger64

2 ай бұрын

But, he quit posting about a year ago. Don't know why.

I learned more today than in the previous hours of watching others work on their generators. Great explanation. The drawings were immensely helpful. I worked machine repair for the first 10 years of my employment. After that I was supervising others doing it. For the last 10 years I have been retired and doing contract work writing work instructions for several companies. Electronic cameras are a wonderful tool. They let you watch the operation from all sides. Part of the work instruction is providing pictures and drawings of the various processes. I set up 2 or 3 hi rez movie cameras and record the process. Then I clip stills from the video and embed them in the work instruction. If I had the cameras available in the shops I was repairing or training others in how to repair equipment I would have had a much better chance of success. Seeing the MOSFET overload and smoke the fuse is invaluable. Great job and thanks for the explanation. 😁😎

7:30 in my years of problem solving things I find; "there is nothing more permanent then a temporary solution".

Perfect, just Perfect! Thank you from England. I can now go and help a friend look at his Chinese 10kW diesel generator with some optimism which I wouldn't have had before seeing your video. Thanks again, Peter.

I´m a german mechatronic technician and know I´m studying mechanical engineering. And then there is a crazy farmer, who teaches me new things every week....I love it. Thank you John

I have to give you props for mentioning other youtubers that are more specialized in certain areas. I have watched James Condon mentioned here and I also watch Jesse Muller mentioned in the telescoping lift video. Nothing wrong with giving someone credit for learning something from them. Thanks for all your videos they are appreciated.

The bridge rectifier simply keeps the alternating waveform always positive, but it is still alternating from zero to max voltage. The regulator will add a low pass filter to turn it into an actual DC level which can then be adjusted from zero to a max voltage. The low pass filter parameters are adjusted based on the frequency of the ac signal which is set by the speed of the spinning motor.

@JMassengill

Жыл бұрын

I was pretty much coming to say just this.

@RossReedstrom

Жыл бұрын

And in fact, the big ol' "can" capacitor used for this is often a point of failure for brushless generators.

LOL Half way thru the video I was thinking, "John needs to watch James!" and sure enough, you already did! Thanks for the video!

Brushed generator uses capacitor for exciter voltage. James Condon’s channel is excellent and honest !

This in-depth explanation of generator design and function was a nice throwback to a series of elective classes I took in 9th and 10th grade called "Energy, Power And Transportation I/II/III"... some of my favorite classes in high school. And the teacher was just really good at explaining seemingly complex processes with clear examples of simple principles. Much the way you do, John. For folks who learn the way I do, you make a very good teacher/instructor.

Just an excellent tutorial on how generators work in principle & how you went about troubleshooting & repairing. Great job!

If you had been my high school electronics instructor, I may had stayed in that class, but now at 66 years of age, you are still a genius at how to go from one thing to another, to find what the problem is. Seems people around here just want to scrap something and get a new one, of whatever it may be. I miss fabrication and building things. Maybe again if I can learn how to walk again with a prosthetic leg. I enjoyed watching. Thank you !

4/23/23;..friend's 15,000W propane Brigs& Stratton 3cylinder generator...de-mouse-ifed, re-fuse'd, re-volt-regulated, re-plumbered pipe leaks & multi-load tested...wow Jon, great educational video 2day! You can fix soo many problems... issues..humm...ever thought about running for public office?..Governor? Senator? President?...we have lots of 'short-circuits' throwing 'hot sparks' everywhere...I look at your closing video shot 2day...a nice walk in the peaceful pasture on a beautiful day watching 'Ole Betsy chewing a mouthful of nourishment...Much enjoy your channel, your many talents & accomplishments. Give us more! Stay safe & carry on!👏👏👍👍👷😊🔧⚙️🚜

That explanation was spot on, just like my teacher explained it back when I trained to be a TV repair engineer, we touched into a lot of different aspects of power generating and usage. We even did a full montage of a fusebox in a house, with all connections and a shitload of wires to connect. The teacher would come up with different malfunction that we was supposed to find and rectify, and at the end we could almost find any problem with any TV or radio set they dumped on us. This was back when TV's was huge and bulky and the flatscreen had not been introduced yet. Nowadays nobody repairs anything anymore, and just pay to get a new item. Thousands of perfectly good electronic devices gets just dumped each year. Like a modern flatscreen tv has to be OLED or it is not good enough, and of course curved screen is a must. It's just so silly.

Having taught motor/Gen theory for 16 years, you are right on the money. Excellent training!

I wasn't taught this in the Army in 1971, Thank you ! BTW , I STILL BUY, REPAIR AND SELL THEM !

When I log into youtube and have notifications from both Jon (FarmCraft101) and James (James Condon), it's not an easy choice of which one to watch first. You're both excellent youtubers and I always learn something new from each of you.

Always great to see these refurbishment videos!

Very well done, and a fitting addition to James Condon’s remarkable videos each week. Your diagrams and explanations helped me better understand things I thought I already knew. Your video editing and voiceovers are second to none, and the pace of your work keeps me very interested in every video you post. Great job!

THAT WAS COOL...IVE BEEN STUDYING FOR 50 years. And you made it simple. Thanks

Nice job little buddy I’m a Locksmithing. I enjoyed watching that. You really know what you’re doing and you did a great video showing that. Thanks again.

Mr. Condon is my go to guy for Small Engines, very meticulous (almost surgical) in explanation. I really enjoy both of your Channels alot. Learning something always makes my day! :) Granted I am old and forget it the next day. I am sorry to say that I just don't want the "LawnMower" aerobics anymore for my Pressure Washer/Lawnmower/Weed Eater/Roto-tiller/Snowblower and then spend hours cleaning carbs for hours for two to three hours of seasonal work. While I do tolerate wrenching...I am at the age when I just don't wish to anymore :) Thank You for your Trials and Tribulations with each project you encounter and the solutions you come up with. Peace!

Hi John, propane engines usually require liquid take off from the tank, whereas your BBQ uses vapour take off. That unit between the tank and the engine is a vaporizer. Liquid propane is fed into that unit and converted into vapour. Those units usually have coolant hoses connected (on cars) to prevent the vaporizer from freezing.

@Obsidian0Knight

Жыл бұрын

His doesn't look like it's got a vape unit. It's probably spec'ed for the general use case where a person is feeding it natural gas.

@silicon.alchemist

Жыл бұрын

No, The unit is not a vaporizer. They are generally only used on larger engines, and require hose connections to the engine coolant to keep them from freezing up. This unit is definitely set up for vapor input, the unit mentioned is simply a pre regulator to reduce vapor pressure. This small 3 cyl engine can be run directly on vapor no problem. If it was a V8, it would definitely use a vaporizer tied to engine coolant. Tank pressure is 100-200 PSI depending on ambient temperature, it needs to be reduced to a few inches water column for the carburetor. Hence the two stage regulators, one on the outside plumbing, and if you noticed, there is another regulator inside the housing for the final low pressure to feed the carb.

Your explanations are spot on and As Big Clive Would Say "A Full Bridge Rectifer"

James Cordon’s channel is excellent. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I studied electrical stuff 30 years ago. This was a great refresher course 😊

I appreciated the diagrams and the ten or twelve minutes you spent explaining how generators work. Well done.

Greetings from England. I failed physics miserably at school 50 years ago. I just about understood the basic DC current circuit, but nothing more. Your video, and in particular the drawn diagrams, has taught me more about electricity generation than I have ever known before. Thank you.....

I was going to suggest checking out James Condon's channel, so great to see you mention him at the end!

Thanks John, I've really never fully understood this topic before and now I feel like I have a much more firm grasp on it. Thanks for such a great video and all your other videos too!

EXCELLENT video once again, Jon. I always learn from you. Thanks for taking the time to make the drawings. They helped me a lot. Another great topic in your channel!!

James has a great channel. Very instructional and easy to understand.

Your buddy got two great deals. The generator and you! Great work and great video, sir.

love that the engine goes "ha ha ha " when it stops kranking.

For reference, the H on a fuse doesn't indicate the fuse speed, that's the breaking capacity, H for high, L for low. The T means slow blow, a fuse marked with an F is fast blow.

You overall knowledge of just about everything is amazing. You should be a teacher for our young...

Great demonstration and explanation of how generators work, without this basic understanding it is impossible to troubleshoot any generator. Thanks.

Again, you are a great teacher and explain segments supported with good drawings. I was glad you saved this engine/generator from the scrap heap. Blessings to you.

BIG Congratulations!!! You deserve it for all the diagnosis and final repair you completed! Your buddy owes you BIG time for the money you saved him on a GREAT generator! You should feel proud cause you really did a nicwe job!

I am a mechanic of small generators and brush cutters etc I like teachings it helps me a lot (South Africa)

I watch James Condon's channel all the time. Small engine generator repair extraordinaire... I heard at least one Eric O. reference here! Love this channel

Good job! Always enjoy your content and watching your logical, methodical approach to troubleshooting (you've done this before numerous times I'd imagine.) Hope you are well.

This is such a great and clear explanation of how this all works. Very well done.

I guess I'll have to stick with blacksmithing because all that electrical talk just completely went over my head. Great to see such handy folks still in the world. You make it look easy!

Thanks so much for taking the time to take us along for this ride bud. I learned plenty about actually applying some stuff i had only read about

What a fantastic educational and instructive video. Really felt compelled to listen to your comments regarding how your views on how a generator works Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Look forward to your next.

Excellent and very detailed explanation. On a side note, I have that exact same analog multimeter purchased from Radio Shack in the 70's! Still working and very useful to see fluctuations that I can't see on my digital meter. Thanks for all the work you put into this video!

John has always you crack me up seriously Waccamaw is a great name for that boat and as always, you do a great job you are fun to watch

Nice plug for James Condon, I watch him regularly and like you said he definitely knows his stuff. Another well put together video that puts another tool in us Jack of all trades tool boxes.

Really good explainer on the gen windings and such. Its so much easier to hear it from a non engineer who doesnt over-explain and complicate things. Even if some details are missing or wrong (im assuming thats possible) this video got me closer to understanding alot of subjects im interested in. Thanks!

@sonnyh9774

Жыл бұрын

Agreed..... good communication is a valuable skillset

This video was well-explained and easy to follow. I feel confident in fixing my generator now.

James Condon is a great guy Been watching him for ages lol I saw this video also tagged on James KZread

I think it is a good sign that you keep recommending channels that I am already subscribed. I agree James is wizard with those small engines and generators. I like how he will stay after something until he feels it is the best it can be!

Summary was generated by Summatim, let us know if there are any inaccuracies! 🤖 0:01: Introduction 0:59: Control Panel 2:15: Checking the Engine 5:17: Investigating the Control Panel 8:48: Hooking Up Propane 10:43: Fixing a Leak 13:28: Testing the Generator 15:05: Investigating Power Output 19:05: Generator Diagnosis 19:15: Stator and Rotor 21:24: Exciter 27:04: Brushed Generator Setup 27:33: Brushless Generator Setup 36:47: Generator power adjustment 43:59: Brushed vs Brushless Generators 44:08: Introduction 44:36: Pilot Exciter 44:48: Fuse Replacement 45:43: AVR Replacement 50:51: Load Testing 54:06: Powering the Shop 57:36: Conclusion

@matthiku

Жыл бұрын

This should be in the description of the video or in a pinned comment/

Perhaps James Condon can learn something from this video about explaining to his viewers what generator windings do instead of just showing them the testing.

many years ago I was taught that the best way to prevent gas leaks is to use the yellow teflon tape then use a layer of piper dope on top of the tape, it works like a charm

While not every detail was 100%, that was probably the best explanation of how generators work that I've ever seen.

I always hope that the people who do these weird (wrong) original connections see these kind of videos.

Greetings from the great State of Kansas! Our favorite action star is Bruce Willis. As always, thank you Pinball, Mrs. Pinball, and Elliott for the opportunity to win such great prizes!!

I agree! James Condon is THE small machine guy and his videos are refreshingly free of fuzz, product placements and time consuming chit-chat. He was of great help when i set out to fix my dad´s snow blower.

I feel I’m auditing a masters level course in rotors and stators of which I know almost bupkis (nothing). But, farmer Jon’s voice is what I call ‘easy listening’. Much like my favorite sports announcers. The upshot is when your explaining something, you either have the proper timbre and resonance in your voice,,,, you have those two qualities, or you don’t. I feel I should send you a check as a thank you for your expertise and your God given talents.

I envy those like this gentleman who have a understanding on how these machines operate.

Thx John for your detailed explanation of a working gen! 41:32

I too enjoy watching James Condon

Well done. Nice shoutout to J. Condon👍

Amazing troubleshooting,Love watching ALL your vids late at night betterthan cable...lastly you are such a good person always helping others

I learned more today about electricity than I have learned in 58 years. thanks.

Really like to watching your detective work. My projects seem to more dictated by mother nature than my interest.

15:30 "i don't work on generators" proceeds to give the best explanation I've heard on them so far

I seriously love that you explained in detail because I have a simple understanding on generators. The proof your never to old to learn something new

I’ve been watching James for a few months now, too. Love both of your channels!

I have been watching Gordon for a long time ,my son turned me to you ,your theory and explanation of generator beats any any Electrical Engineering Class.He does not do theory and explanation he is good and does not give up on the repair.

Paul from Iowa, I am an Electrician by trade, Great Job and Great Video. I enjoy Generators and making things work

Thank you, very, very well explained. I have been looking for this explanation on youtube but could not find one. There is a youtuber "James Condon" who makes generator repair videos, even though he has never explained this well how the generetor works, and I can't fix fix something if I don't know how it works.

I have a generator size just like that one. Am told it is a shorted stator. After watching this I want a second opinion. You are one smart gentleman. Wish you lived around here.

On this video ! I didn’t understand much! But, can see a light at the end of the tunnel! Lol! Keep them coming! Thanks for sharing! 👌👍

Nice shoutout to James, he's knowledgable indeed on this stuff

Fantastic description of brushed and brushless generators! This for me was really a true lightbulb moment. Thanks very much indeed for going through it this way!

You beat me to every point I was going to make(cutting a hole in the Plate for circulation and James Condon) I watch him all the time! Great Video, (even though your "tutorial was a bit long). Keep the videos coming I super enjoy your "Adventures"!! Be well, be safe(well as safe as you can be anyway) and God Bless you and Yours!! Until next time!

One of the best explanations of an a/c generator function I’ve seen. Great for non-electrical and DYIers.

That’s an awesome generator! That engine is an amazing motor . They don’t make them anymore. That is seriously a 20,000 hour engine all day long. I have the same engine in my Ventrac. It was the longest lasting engine they put in them. They are anvil tough. The oil stays clean on them, and you lose more by wiping the dipstick to check it than they burn. They do not burn oil at all. You can neglect them and they keep on going. Those engines are getting very difficult to find the only way to kill them is to run them out of oil intentionally and let them go all day long with no oil or to overheat them until the cylinder, head, warped like a banana ,they will still keep going. Your friend is lucky to have you ,nice work.

Hi there You truly are a jack of all trades , well done and I’m guessing your friend is over the moon with this repair Regards Davy 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇹🇭

Very good diagnosis FC. Thanks for the great video and explanation. Look forward to the next one.

Wow... Take a bow... very cool video.... we very rarely comment on videos... but we just had too... 1st off you are one very thuro man...both with the trouble shooting concepts and your fab work and even patients to get the correct slow blow fuses... you caught my attention even more... most just say screw it and use whatever.... we appreciate the professionalism, thumbs up.... 2nd there are so many things identical here it's uncanny..... we too have this 3-cylinder Daihatsu motor on a 10kw gen set... it was made for Dometic for a large RV... ours will run on gasoline or propane, its on gasoline right now... it lived it's 351 hours of life per the functioning hobbs meter, but it lived inside it's compartment on a now scrapped RV... Heavy bugger for sure... we have taken an old junk Pentair Master Temp natural gas pool heater from our local junk scrap metal yard only to stripped everything out of it and now we have a case to install the gen set into that looks 95% the same as yours OEM case... cost zero... Gen Set almost free $300 US.... everything works as new... Here are more similarities... your two meters the Fluke87 III and your Fluke T5-600 we both run the same test equipment...this is too coincidental; we've had these two Fluke Test meters of approx 25-27ish years...amazing you have both these meters or what looks like them.. You fine Sir are a very unique, smart and hugely capable man... I like this... this video was my 1st to see at your channel... not for long... im gonna binge watch over the holiday..... OK sorry for the long back ground story... for MY REAL question.... So we can sort of figure out what this Gen Set was originally used for and how it was hooked up.... Here's my Question you were into the Gen Set Windings to check for stator/rotor damage.... did you happen to notice were the neutral/white and ground/green anywhere in the electrical service breaker box or at the gen's head set... were they every jumper'd together as a main primary electrical source, from a utility typically are... or were the neutral and ground separated...??? Very important to know... in our application will have to keep them separated for its intended use.... im sure you are seeing why we ask and are catch'n my drift... For other readers while off and isolated from any outside electrical connection.... if one checks continuity to neutral/white and ground/green this would be interesting to know....and would answer generally how this unit was installed at in its previous life assuming it was installed correctly there.... Great Channel.... you fine sir would be someone we would break bread with... Have a great 4th holiday... be safe out there.... I will sub and get notices as soon as we hit send on this apologetically long comment.... Keep up the great content....

A great walkthrough for diagnosing and fixing a generator.

Very good and easy to follow and understand. The best of all right to the point without gimmicks and mimics ❤

awesome vid! no one tells truth for how generator work, but you done it. thank you so much

Your drawings are a great tool to tell workings.A+ A+ A+. You cleared up a lot about generators. Thank you.

I am not Nit picky so I think this was an excellent explanation of Generators. Well Done. I subscribed.