{"id":4081,"date":"2021-04-30T15:57:57","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T15:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodsybond.com\/?p=4081"},"modified":"2021-05-01T09:58:37","modified_gmt":"2021-05-01T09:58:37","slug":"how-to-test-a-generator-with-a-multimeter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodsybond.com\/how-to-test-a-generator-with-a-multimeter\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Test a Generator With a Multimeter?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you need to improve your camping or tailgating experience or power devices in a remote location, your generator should produce the right voltage. But how can you check if it is producing the right voltage? You can do so by using a multimeter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A multimeter is a device that can take multiple readings. You can measure current, voltage, and resistance. Some advanced multimeters can also measure capacitance and frequency. Therefore, people prefer to use multimeters instead of voltmeters to test the generator.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A digital multimeter is recommended as it provides accurate readings. This article will discuss how you can test a generator with a multimeter. However, make sure that you take all the necessary precautions while handling the generator.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>What Generator Tests Can You Perform Using a Multimeter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a multimeter, you can perform the following tests on a generator.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Amperage Tests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Generator amperage tests are of high level. Its circuit is transmitted via a multimeter.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Voltage Tests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You can perform a voltage output test on a generator without breaking the circuit.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Resistance Tests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You need to disconnect the circuit from the coils, generator, and conductors to get correct resistance readings.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to keep away from touching the voltage regulator or wires while testing. It can result in electric shock. That\u2019s why it\u2019s better to wear gloves while doing the test.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Testing a 12V Portable Generator With a Multimeter\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4084\" src=\"https:\/\/woodsybond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/edi5163000k.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"366\" height=\"366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/woodsybond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/edi5163000k.jpg 854w, https:\/\/woodsybond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/edi5163000k-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/woodsybond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/edi5163000k-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/woodsybond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/edi5163000k-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 366px) 100vw, 366px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Car generators are fitted inside the car to charge the battery and produce power. On the other hand, portable generators are the excellent emergency backup power source for different purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you start the test, you need to carry the following tools with you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A digital multimeter<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shoes or sandals having non-conductive soles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protective gloves<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below are the steps to follow to accurately and safely test a generator with a multimeter.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To measure the AC voltage, set the multimeter at V. You can set the voltage between 0-20V range for car generator or 12V portable generator.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Power on your portable generator and turn on the engine for the generator fitted inside your car. Maintain the speed of the engine at more than 1500 rpm.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Situate the positive and negative outputs. Your portable generator consists of two wires internally connected with a plastic connector at the end. There, you will find the negative and positive connectors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, connect the red wire to the positive terminal and the black wire to the negative terminal of the generator.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For your car generator, you will find the two terminals with labels &#8220;B&#8221; and &#8220;Gnd.&#8221; Further, connect the black wire from generator to Gnd terminal and red wire to B terminal.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, carefully note down the reading displayed on the multimeter. For a 12V generator, the reading should be between 11-13 volts. However, if the reading displays less than 11V, that means the generator does not have enough voltage.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have noted down the readings, turn off the car engine and your portable generator.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Troubleshoot With Multimeter<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can understand and troubleshoot the problem if your generator produces less than 11V using a multimeter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disconnect the automatic voltage regulator from the generator.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disconnect the black and red leads that go from AVR towards the brush set.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cover the leads to avoid connection with the housing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for a 12V DC power source like alligator clips.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attach the clips on the brush set of the generator.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep the positive line attached and power the generator. Next, connect the negative line to the brush set.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, put the multimeter leads above the generator leads you detached from the AVR to test.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your multimeter should show a minimum of 60 volts. However, if the readings are not accurate, there might be an issue with the automatic voltage regulator.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is easy to check whether the power output of your portable or car generator is safe with a multimeter. If the voltage meter readings are strange or inaccurate, you can perform the doable troubleshooting process. However, you need to be careful and wear protective gloves while performing the test.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you need to improve your camping or tailgating experience or power devices in a remote location, your generator should produce the right voltage. But how can you check if it is producing the right voltage? You can do so by using a multimeter.\u00a0 A multimeter is a device that can take multiple readings. You &#8230; <a title=\"How to Test a Generator With a Multimeter?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/woodsybond.com\/how-to-test-a-generator-with-a-multimeter\/\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":218,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,33],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Test a Generator With a Multimeter? - WoodsyBond<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you concerned about how to test a generator with a multimeter? 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