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021-028 Generator (Alternator) Exciter Rotating Diodes: Remove
021-028 Generator (Alternator) Exciter Rotating Diodes: Remove
021-028 Generator (Alternator) Exciter Rotating Diodes
Remove
WARNING
To reduce the possibility of
property damage and
personal injury from
electrical shock, make
certain the unit is isolated
from all voltage sources.
Remove the non-drive end
access cover and the two side
covers from the terminal box.
There are three diodes on each
of the two plates attached to
the hub. These plates are on
the drive end side of the main
exciter rotor. The diodes are
easier to check if the crankshaft
is rotated.
NOTE: During assembly, the
diode lead (3) is installed at
the bottom of the connection
stud (2). To make later
service easier, put the diode
lead (3) on the connection
stud (2) last (under the nut).
A lead from a diode (3) and a
lead from the main exciter
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rotor (1) are both attached to
the adjacent connector stud
(2).
Remove the diode lead (3)
from the connection stud (2).
Using a multimeter, Part
Number 3376898, set it to
ohms.
Connect one lead of the meter
to the diode lead and the other
meter lead to the diode plate.
Record the reading.
Reverse the meter leads and
again record the readings.
A good diode will give a high
reading in one direction and a
lower resistance reading in the
opposite direction. The high
reading must be at least ten
times the low reading.
A faulty diode will give a high
resistance reading (open) in
both directions or a low
resistance reading (shorted) in
both directions.
Before installing a new diode,
check the appearance of the
varistor (surge suppressor).
The varistor is located on the
opposite side of the shaft from
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the main generator rotor leads.
A faulty generator varistor will
be burned or have a lead wire
burned off.
The diodes (1) are held in
place by captive inserts (2)
within the molded base (3).
Remove the diode (1) by
turning it counterclockwise.
To replace the varistor:
1. Disconnect the main
generator rotor leads.
2. Remove all six diodes.
3. Move the ends of the two
plates away from the
main exciter rotor.
4. Remove the nut from the
varistor stud.
5. Remove the varistor wire
lead from the stud.
6. Replace the varistor
assembly.
NOTE: When replacing a diode,
the replacement must be from
the same manufacturer and
have the same model number.
Diodes with black leads are
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reverse polarity and have a
letter”R” in the model
designation. The arrow on the
diode will point toward the
terminal. Always check the
diode with a meter to be sure of
its polarity.
An example is, Part Number I R
85 49HFR 100, which identifies a
diode by International Rectifier
Company.
The 85 49 is the date code. The
40 indicates a 40 ampere
continuous rating. The HF is a
designation for the size and
shape. The R indicates reverse
polarity. The 100 indicates that
the diode is rated to withstand
1000 volts in the reverse
direction.
International Diodes
International
Marconi
Rectifier
Red
40HF100 M41-1000
Lead
Black
40HFR100 M41R1000
Lead
A diode obtained from an
electrical supply company will
not have a lead soldered ti the
terminal.
If a lead must be soldered to
the terminal, use 60-40 rosin
core solder.
Hold the diode terminal with a
long nose pliers during the
soldering to prevent excessive
heat transfer though the
terminal to the diode junction.
CAUTION
This compound must not be
applied to the diode stud
threads. It will act as a
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lubricant and allow the
diode to loosen.
The area if the diode that will
be in contact with the plate
must be coated with Midland
Silicone Heat Sink Compound,
Type MS 2623 or equivalent.
NOTE: All of the diode (1)
installed on one plate must
have the same polarity, and
all the diodes (2) on the
other plate must have the
opposite polarity. Do not mix
the polarity of the diodes on
the plate.
NOTE: On generators with
permanent magnet exciter, it
makes no difference which
plate has the “R” polarity
diodes.
Install the diodes on the plates.
Last Modified: 14-Dec-2007
Copyright © 2000-2010 Cummins Inc. All rights reserved.
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