generator no ouput

[David Anderson]

I inherited an old Lincoln welder/generator from my wife's dad.  I fired it up, but no output on the plug or welding leads.  Koehler engine runs fine.  Any ideas??

David

[viento1]

I wish I could help you... that is a really cool generator!!

[David Anderson]

I wish I could help you... that is a really cool generator!!

Yes it is.  It's old, so it's well made.  I wanted it to use for remote welding on the bus.  I hope I can figure out a way to fix it.

David

[Lin]

Even though it is old, Lincoln tech support may be able to help.  Can't hurt to try.

[luvrbus]

Clean the exciter and brushes then flash  you should be good to go then

good luck

[David Anderson]

Clean the exciter and brushes then flash  you should be good to go then

good luck

Okay Clifford, I'll show my ignorance.  What is the exciter and where is it?  The brushess I assume are right next to the motor shaft, correct, similar to any electric motor?

[Len Silva]

Mr. Google came up with these:

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/servicenavigator/lincoln1/P166.pdf

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/servicenavigator/LINCOLN3/IM307.pdf

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/servicenavigator/LINCOLN3/IM287.pdf

[opus]

Great place for this: http://www.smokstak.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=34

[junkman42]

I have the cousin to Your welder/gen.  If You will take a piece of sand paper and clean the commutator for the exciter and the slip rings Your unit will probably come to life!  Check that all switches are working properly!  There are no magic electronics so You will not damage anything.  If the unit has been sitting for a long time You may have to flash the rotating field!  Do not use any abrasive other than sandpaper meaning no carborundum.  I would think that there are instructions for flashing the field in the manual.  My unit sits for years and usually comes to life with a little contact cleaning.  Regards John L

[David Anderson]

I took it to South Texas Engine and Generator in San Antonio.  They replaced a diode bridge, cleaned the stator and flashed the coil, and replaced a few other missing parts.  $194, and she runs and welds good.  I replaced the crankcase oil in the old Koehler engine.  This thing has been sitting for years.  I now can weld remotely.  Yippee.

David

[mike802]

I hope you get that old girl welding again.  I have a stick welder from the 30's or 40's and it still welds great. It has large cables around 6 gauge or so that need replacing.  I bought some replacement wire once, but someone stole them, it is still safe, but they should be replaced.  I learned to weld on that welder and so did both my son's, I can't wait to watch my grandson learn to weld on it.  Well yea I can wait, but something to look forward to. 

[Charles in SC]

I would go to an authorized Lincoln repair shop. I had a lincoln welder repaired last summer and was surprised at the age of some of the units in there to be repaired. I commented on this and was told that they could fix most all of their old units and that they were very well made to begin with.

[eagle19952]

Nothing like the REAL answer.
ONE THING DO NOT USE SAND PAPER...there is a special and inexpensive commutaror cleaning stone..you'll ruin your slip rings.
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=44435
iF you need to flash your unit again this willl help...
I have used 9v radio batts to flash 500kw gens.

[David Anderson]

Nothing like the REAL answer.
ONE THING DO NOT USE SAND PAPER...there is a special and inexpensive commutaror cleaning stone..you'll ruin your slip rings.
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=44435
iF you need to flash your unit again this willl help...
I have used 9v radio batts to flash 500kw gens.

Wow, that was a great link.  I'm bookmarking that one.

Thanks,
David