<VV> Thew Great Fan Belt Toss

[GFrenzie@aol.com]

Many thanks to all that responded to my question concerning the generator on 
my '61 Rampside. All that answered were right right on the money with their 
answers. I wanted to share this explanation with all who read VV and might 
encounter the same problem.

Your generator kept running because you do not have the correct (OEM
factory spec) voltage regulator.  The Corvair generator voltage regulator is 
a special low cut out design to prevent exactly what happened to you.

A DC generator (not alternator) is exactly the same as a DC motor.  Each
has field (stator) windings and armature (rotor) windings.  Used as a
generator, current in the field winding produces a magnetic field. 
Mechanically rotate the armature and you produce current in the armature
windings.  This is rectified by the commutator (the thing the brushes rub 
against).  Volia a generator!

Take that same generator, supply current to the field windings from a
battery to produce a magnetic field and you have a motor.  But the
generator, that wants to be a motor, doesn't have a motor starting
winding.  Well it doesn't need one.  It was already spinning when the
belt broke.  It will just keep running until the battery that supplies
the field current dies.  The correct (low drop out) voltage regulator
will break the field current stoping the motor action.  Exactly what you
did when you disconnected the battery.

John Dozsa

Once again, thanks to all who replied...
George (ACORNs chapter #148) Rochester, NY