If the power plant does not keep the battery charged, the very first check should be to see that it is located and installed according to the instructions in this manual. Observe the general behaviour of the plant. If it swings around a great deal, or governs crazily when the wind in the open fields is fairly steady, something is wrong with the location. Buildings, trees, or other obstructions are causing eddies. Cross currents are taking the power out of the wind and only the gusts buffet the machine. The only remedy for such a condition is to try another location or place the power plant on a higher tower.

The second check is to trace all the electrical connections according to the instructions of this manual. Make sure there are no loose connections anywhere, and that the battery clips are making good contact. Be sure the wire sizes are not smaller than recommended in this manual.

The third check should be on your connected load. Figure the number of amperes drained from the battery from the drain chart on page 7. Multiply this by the number of hours the lights and radio are used. Now check with the information on the battery size given on page 7.

The fourth check is to see that the batteries are in good condition and will take a charge. This can best be done at a battery service station.

Observe the action of the instrument panel. As the generator speeds up gradually, the relay should close with a light click. The ammeter should jump over to one or two amperes charge and swing over more slowly to whatever output the generator can develop. When the generator slows down, the ammeter will drop until a slight discharge of 1/2 to 1 ampere is shown and the relay will open with a very light click.

If the ammeter regularly jumps over 5 or 6 amperes when the relay closes, the relay is defective and should be repaired or replaced.

If the relay does not open until the discharge current reaches 3 or 4 amperes, it is defective and should be repaired or replaced.

Many garages can adjust relays. The relay for 6 volt plants is adjusted to close at 6.8 to 7.2 volts and to open at 1/2 ampere discharge. The 12 volt relay is adjusted to close at 13.2 to 14 volts and to open at 1/2 ampere discharge.

More Detailed Tests

Trouble with specific parts of the power plant can be located by the following series of tests. They should be made in the order given.

1) Turn the power plant out of gear

2) Hold a jumper wire across the terminal of the relay as shown in Figure 14. This should cause the generator to run as a motor, taking current from the battery. The first inrush should be 10 to 12 and as the generator comes up to speed, it should settle down to 4 or 5 amperes. This is true for both the model 206 and 212 generators and when the batteries are about half charged.

(A) If the ammeter needle moves clear over to the left, it indicates a short circuit between the instrument panel and the generator, or something is keeping the generator from rotating.

(B) If the ammeter hand moves much less than these amounts and generator motors slowly, there is a poor connection which could be in the wiring, in the collector, or because generator brushes are worn out or not seating properly. Batteries may be badly discharged.

(C) If the ammeter needle does not move at all and generator does not motor, there is an open circuit, indicating a broken wire or loose connection between the instument panel and generator.

(D) If the generator motors freely, but ammeter does not move, the ammeter is out of order.

(E) If generator motors slowly and ammeter needle swings wildly back and forth, it indicates a defective armature or loose connections between generator and instrument panel.

3) If the condition is as in (A) above and ammeter shows too much discharge, whether generator motors or not, proceed as follows: Disconnect the generator cable at the generator terminals, and bend them so they hang clear of each other and the power plant. Then jumper the relay as in Figure 14.

a) If the ammeter still shows discharge, the trouble is in the connections between generator and instrument panel. Proceed as in (4) below.