Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site bonnie.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!saf From: saf@bonnie.UUCP (Steve Falco) Newsgroups: net.auto.tech Subject: Re: VW electrical problem Message-ID: <621@bonnie.UUCP> Date: Wed, 13-Nov-85 08:06:30 EST Article-I.D.: bonnie.621 Posted: Wed Nov 13 08:06:30 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 14-Nov-85 00:41:26 EST References: <616@bbnccv.UUCP> <10952@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Whippany NJ Lines: 19 > I do not understand at all how it is possible > to generate current without this (stator lead) connected. > Anyway, theory or not something strange is going on. > If anybody out there knows the "truth", please let me know. I think with the wire disconnected you are making use of residual magnetism in the iron. Remember, you can build a gnerator with permanent magnets. Since the alternator components are made of soft iron, the residual magnetism is not great. Perhaps there is a magnetic feedback which builds with increased RPM. As a sidelight, the old-style generators had to be "polarized" when they were installed. This consisted of sending a DC current through the windings to set up a residual magnetic field. If you didn't do it, you would usually get no output. Sounds similar. BTW, don't ever try to polarize an alternator!!! The current can burn out the diodes. Plus it is unnecessary... Steve Falco