Alternator not building voltage after overhaul
Brushless alternator, 440 V. After the overhaul it runs up to speed but the voltage stays close to zero. We fitted a spare AVR and nothing changed. What should I check next?
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This fixed it
Check the exciter field first. An overhaul can leave it with no residual magnetism, and then the AVR has nothing to build on, which is why a new one changed nothing. Flash the field: with the set at rated speed and the AVR field leads disconnected, touch a 12 V battery across the exciter field, correct polarity, for a second or two. Reconnect, and follow the maker's procedure for your machine.
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