Generators are fascinating in how they work, but there are so many different variations and ways of doing things it's hard to do a comprehensive overview in a single video. They will certainly keep you on your toes! I hope you guys enjoy the video, and have an absolutely excellent weekend folks!!

Nice save and great video. Fantastic job with the illustrations and explaining how a brushed and brushless generator works.

Career mechanic, you gave the best explanation, schematic, and diagrams I’ve ever seen. You should have called this episode “ come learn ac systems, dc systems, engine diagnosis, and plumbing in under an hour” . Big fan!

I'm an electrical engineer covering generator controls along with other stuff for an offshore drilling company. Your explanation and troubleshooting for that stand-by gen were spot-on; same approach our guys use troubleshooting the big diesels offshore. =) The cool thing was seeing all the same principles duplicated in miniature. The 15kW stand-by wasn't that much different from one of our 7,000kW gens, except we pull exciter power from a PMG.

Everybody needs a friend like you John. That’s the reason I like your channel so much. I really enjoy the logic in your work. You might not exactly know how something works, but with persistence you’ll work it out. I wish you were my neighbour!

I've worked on generators for years and your explanations are correct. Your troubleshooting is very good. Farmers fix it all.

Your teaching ability is simply amazing. Videos like this are what truly makes the internet great.

We have used the kzfaq.infoUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!

I’ll never have to do the things you are doing on your farm, but every video you make is so fascinating to watch because of your editing and voice overs. Thanks for all the effort you put into these!

I have to give you props for mentioning other youtubers that are more specialized in certain areas. I have watched James Condon mentioned here and I also watch Jesse Muller mentioned in the telescoping lift video. Nothing wrong with giving someone credit for learning something from them. Thanks for all your videos they are appreciated.

I learned more today than in the previous hours of watching others work on their generators. Great explanation. The drawings were immensely helpful. I worked machine repair for the first 10 years of my employment. After that I was supervising others doing it. For the last 10 years I have been retired and doing contract work writing work instructions for several companies. Electronic cameras are a wonderful tool. They let you watch the operation from all sides. Part of the work instruction is providing pictures and drawings of the various processes. I set up 2 or 3 hi rez movie cameras and record the process. Then I clip stills from the video and embed them in the work instruction. If I had the cameras available in the shops I was repairing or training others in how to repair equipment I would have had a much better chance of success. Seeing the MOSFET overload and smoke the fuse is invaluable. Great job and thanks for the explanation. 😁😎

Very well done, and a fitting addition to James Condon’s remarkable videos each week. Your diagrams and explanations helped me better understand things I thought I already knew. Your video editing and voiceovers are second to none, and the pace of your work keeps me very interested in every video you post. Great job!

Just an excellent tutorial on how generators work in principle & how you went about troubleshooting & repairing. Great job!

When I log into youtube and have notifications from both Jon (FarmCraft101) and James (James Condon), it's not an easy choice of which one to watch first. You're both excellent youtubers and I always learn something new from each of you.

That explanation was spot on, just like my teacher explained it back when I trained to be a TV repair engineer, we touched into a lot of different aspects of power generating and usage. We even did a full montage of a fusebox in a house, with all connections and a shitload of wires to connect. The teacher would come up with different malfunction that we was supposed to find and rectify, and at the end we could almost find any problem with any TV or radio set they dumped on us. This was back when TV's was huge and bulky and the flatscreen had not been introduced yet. Nowadays nobody repairs anything anymore, and just pay to get a new item. Thousands of perfectly good electronic devices gets just dumped each year. Like a modern flatscreen tv has to be OLED or it is not good enough, and of course curved screen is a must. It's just so silly.

I´m a german mechatronic technician and know I´m studying mechanical engineering. And then there is a crazy farmer, who teaches me new things every week....I love it. Thank you John

This in-depth explanation of generator design and function was a nice throwback to a series of elective classes I took in 9th and 10th grade called "Energy, Power And Transportation I/II/III"... some of my favorite classes in high school. And the teacher was just really good at explaining seemingly complex processes with clear examples of simple principles. Much the way you do, John. For folks who learn the way I do, you make a very good teacher/instructor.

Having taught motor/Gen theory for 16 years, you are right on the money. Excellent training!

Brushed generator uses capacitor for exciter voltage. James Condon’s channel is excellent and honest !

Watching the James Condon videos is relaxing, educational and informative.

You've really improved your drawing skills. Maybe the wife will put on refrigerator! Excellent video, as always.

I studied electrical stuff 30 years ago. This was a great refresher course 😊

Greetings from England. I failed physics miserably at school 50 years ago. I just about understood the basic DC current circuit, but nothing more. Your video, and in particular the drawn diagrams, has taught me more about electricity generation than I have ever known before. Thank you.....

7:30 in my years of problem solving things I find; "there is nothing more permanent then a temporary solution".

Mr. Condon is my go to guy for Small Engines, very meticulous (almost surgical) in explanation. I really enjoy both of your Channels alot. Learning something always makes my day! :) Granted I am old and forget it the next day. I am sorry to say that I just don't want the "LawnMower" aerobics anymore for my Pressure Washer/Lawnmower/Weed Eater/Roto-tiller/Snowblower and then spend hours cleaning carbs for hours for two to three hours of seasonal work. While I do tolerate wrenching...I am at the age when I just don't wish to anymore :) Thank You for your Trials and Tribulations with each project you encounter and the solutions you come up with. Peace!

The bridge rectifier simply keeps the alternating waveform always positive, but it is still alternating from zero to max voltage. The regulator will add a low pass filter to turn it into an actual DC level which can then be adjusted from zero to a max voltage. The low pass filter parameters are adjusted based on the frequency of the ac signal which is set by the speed of the spinning motor.

I never get tired of watching Farmcraft101. It doesnt matter how long the videos are. Keep doing the great Job you are doing John. Thank you

Perfect, just Perfect! Thank you from England. I can now go and help a friend look at his Chinese 10kW diesel generator with some optimism which I wouldn't have had before seeing your video. Thanks again, Peter.

Thanks John, I've really never fully understood this topic before and now I feel like I have a much more firm grasp on it. Thanks for such a great video and all your other videos too!

EXCELLENT video once again, Jon. I always learn from you. Thanks for taking the time to make the drawings. They helped me a lot. Another great topic in your channel!!

THAT WAS COOL...IVE BEEN STUDYING FOR 50 years. And you made it simple. Thanks

Great demonstration and explanation of how generators work, without this basic understanding it is impossible to troubleshoot any generator. Thanks.

I appreciated the diagrams and the ten or twelve minutes you spent explaining how generators work. Well done.

Hi John, propane engines usually require liquid take off from the tank, whereas your BBQ uses vapour take off. That unit between the tank and the engine is a vaporizer. Liquid propane is fed into that unit and converted into vapour. Those units usually have coolant hoses connected (on cars) to prevent the vaporizer from freezing.

By the way, great job on the theory. I’m an old Electronics tech from the 60’s Navy. This really helped refresh my schooling.

Always great to see these refurbishment videos!

Again, you are a great teacher and explain segments supported with good drawings. I was glad you saved this engine/generator from the scrap heap. Blessings to you.

Excellent and very detailed explanation. On a side note, I have that exact same analog multimeter purchased from Radio Shack in the 70's! Still working and very useful to see fluctuations that I can't see on my digital meter. Thanks for all the work you put into this video!

I think it is a good sign that you keep recommending channels that I am already subscribed. I agree James is wizard with those small engines and generators. I like how he will stay after something until he feels it is the best it can be!

Fantastic description of brushed and brushless generators! This for me was really a true lightbulb moment. Thanks very much indeed for going through it this way!

Good job! Always enjoy your content and watching your logical, methodical approach to troubleshooting (you've done this before numerous times I'd imagine.) Hope you are well.

What a fantastic educational and instructive video. Really felt compelled to listen to your comments regarding how your views on how a generator works Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Look forward to your next.

Your explanations are spot on and As Big Clive Would Say "A Full Bridge Rectifer"

I agree! James Condon is THE small machine guy and his videos are refreshingly free of fuzz, product placements and time consuming chit-chat. He was of great help when i set out to fix my dad´s snow blower.

Really good explainer on the gen windings and such. Its so much easier to hear it from a non engineer who doesnt over-explain and complicate things. Even if some details are missing or wrong (im assuming thats possible) this video got me closer to understanding alot of subjects im interested in. Thanks!

This is such a great and clear explanation of how this all works. Very well done.

I seriously love that you explained in detail because I have a simple understanding on generators. The proof your never to old to learn something new

If you had been my high school electronics instructor, I may had stayed in that class, but now at 66 years of age, you are still a genius at how to go from one thing to another, to find what the problem is. Seems people around here just want to scrap something and get a new one, of whatever it may be. I miss fabrication and building things. Maybe again if I can learn how to walk again with a prosthetic leg. I enjoyed watching. Thank you !

love that the engine goes "ha ha ha " when it stops kranking.

For reference, the H on a fuse doesn't indicate the fuse speed, that's the breaking capacity, H for high, L for low. The T means slow blow, a fuse marked with an F is fast blow.

Nice plug for James Condon, I watch him regularly and like you said he definitely knows his stuff. Another well put together video that puts another tool in us Jack of all trades tool boxes.

Thank you, very, very well explained. I have been looking for this explanation on youtube but could not find one. There is a youtuber "James Condon" who makes generator repair videos, even though he has never explained this well how the generetor works, and I can't fix fix something if I don't know how it works.

BIG Congratulations!!! You deserve it for all the diagnosis and final repair you completed! Your buddy owes you BIG time for the money you saved him on a GREAT generator! You should feel proud cause you really did a nicwe job!

This video was well-explained and easy to follow. I feel confident in fixing my generator now.

You overall knowledge of just about everything is amazing. You should be a teacher for our young...

Thanks so much for taking the time to take us along for this ride bud. I learned plenty about actually applying some stuff i had only read about

Summary was generated by Summatim, let us know if there are any inaccuracies! 🤖 0:01: Introduction 0:59: Control Panel 2:15: Checking the Engine 5:17: Investigating the Control Panel 8:48: Hooking Up Propane 10:43: Fixing a Leak 13:28: Testing the Generator 15:05: Investigating Power Output 19:05: Generator Diagnosis 19:15: Stator and Rotor 21:24: Exciter 27:04: Brushed Generator Setup 27:33: Brushless Generator Setup 36:47: Generator power adjustment 43:59: Brushed vs Brushless Generators 44:08: Introduction 44:36: Pilot Exciter 44:48: Fuse Replacement 45:43: AVR Replacement 50:51: Load Testing 54:06: Powering the Shop 57:36: Conclusion

Perhaps James Condon can learn something from this video about explaining to his viewers what generator windings do instead of just showing them the testing.

I watch James Condon's channel all the time. Small engine generator repair extraordinaire... I heard at least one Eric O. reference here! Love this channel

One of the best explanations of an a/c generator function I’ve seen. Great for non-electrical and DYIers.

The absolute best and easiest explanation of not only generators but brushless/brushed motors etc. Thank you!

I watch almost all of James' videos, (and yours too). You did a great job troubleshooting and explaining. Keep em coming.

I have been watching Gordon for a long time ,my son turned me to you ,your theory and explanation of generator beats any any Electrical Engineering Class.He does not do theory and explanation he is good and does not give up on the repair.

James is my go to generator guru. Watch his hands he is like a doctor. Very smooth movements excellent explaining of what he is doing. Awesome teacher and person. Jon your great too. Love your machinery videos. Keep up the great work. Oh and Thanks again. Gotta go got a Ditchwitch to go and reassemble the fuel system on. Just a small self driven trencher.

I am continually amazed at the things you can fix and your understanding of everything where you can teach the concept in a "simple" way. I am convinced there is nothing you cant fix!

I have a generator size just like that one. Am told it is a shorted stator. After watching this I want a second opinion. You are one smart gentleman. Wish you lived around here.

Great video. I grew up around electronics with dad being a TV repairman from the 50's. There's always more to learn. Thanks for taking the time for us.

Nice job little buddy I’m a Locksmithing. I enjoyed watching that. You really know what you’re doing and you did a great video showing that. Thanks again.

This is the best explanation on KZfaq about this topic. Really appreciate your efforts in bringing your viewers the knowledge of how things work. A request if you can make more videos on this topic about other types of portable generators like the capacitor and inverter type.

Really like to watching your detective work. My projects seem to more dictated by mother nature than my interest.

What a fabulous teaching tool you have created. This should be in every electrical engineering syllabus in college! It's a nut and bolts critical problem solving class in itself. Congrats on the bottom-line, start to finish, critical-path detective work! Thank you... Spanish has a term...mil-gracias...A thousand thank you's.

Excellent vid. I'm an Industrial Electrician from Ford Motor. I also refurbish portable emergency generators so your vid is right up my alley.

Great video. You have absolutely nailed the diagnostic approach to solving problems. But even better is your safety first approach to fuel. Demonstrating best practices for set up and testing of propane vapour is paramount. Thank you

You beat me to every point I was going to make(cutting a hole in the Plate for circulation and James Condon) I watch him all the time! Great Video, (even though your "tutorial was a bit long). Keep the videos coming I super enjoy your "Adventures"!! Be well, be safe(well as safe as you can be anyway) and God Bless you and Yours!! Until next time!

Fascinating. I was cautious and concerned the information was over my head. You went through the troubleshooting so deliberately and explained yourself quite simply. I learned alot. Thanks

I have had an analog multimeter just like that for 40 years already. Bought it a Radio Shack here in The Netherlands, brings back memories... Still use it for the same purpose as done here!

I am a mechanic of small generators and brush cutters etc I like teachings it helps me a lot (South Africa)

Excellent discussion on generators in general. You have a gift in the ability to explain things simply using great analogies.

Very easy to understand! Thanks for explaining in such a way that this can be very helpful to anyone troubleshooting. Great work, love watching all your videos!

4/23/23;..friend's 15,000W propane Brigs& Stratton 3cylinder generator...de-mouse-ifed, re-fuse'd, re-volt-regulated, re-plumbered pipe leaks & multi-load tested...wow Jon, great educational video 2day! You can fix soo many problems... issues..humm...ever thought about running for public office?..Governor? Senator? President?...we have lots of 'short-circuits' throwing 'hot sparks' everywhere...I look at your closing video shot 2day...a nice walk in the peaceful pasture on a beautiful day watching 'Ole Betsy chewing a mouthful of nourishment...Much enjoy your channel, your many talents & accomplishments. Give us more! Stay safe & carry on!👏👏👍👍👷😊🔧⚙️🚜

Fantastic explanation you have a way of making projects look so simple, that's why I love watching you, it builds my own confidence level. Keep up the great work. Cheers from Jacksonville Florida 🌞

Amazing troubleshooting,Love watching ALL your vids late at night betterthan cable...lastly you are such a good person always helping others

Your drawings are a great tool to tell workings.A+ A+ A+. You cleared up a lot about generators. Thank you.

Very good and easy to follow and understand. The best of all right to the point without gimmicks and mimics ❤

Awesome, useful info. When you're all done, not a bad generator, it sounds like it runs smoothly & fairly quiet. Well done! I always appreciate when someone used logic to reason their way through fixing a complicated piece of equipment. Thank you for taking the time to produce this video for the rest of us. Subscribed. Want more! 👍👌

Jon, years ago I taught electricity and electronics in the navy and you did an excellent job of explaining the principles of motors and generators. You got your friends MG fixed ..why am I no surprised! Keep up the great videos. My only complaint about them is you need to do more of them!

That was a brilliant explanation. So good that even someone that had never come across this before could understand. Well done!!

Another really good video. The time spent to explain how the generator makes and governs power was fantastic.

Great job explaining generators and troubleshooting. I'm really impressed. Keep it coming.

Great explanation and diagrams. And I’ve watched James Condon for a couple years now, the knowledge you two have is exceptional!

Yes, James is very good on generators and small engines. I follow his channel and recommend it highly. I have watched a couple of your videos and you seem to be able to explain in more common language how things work , what I like to call the "kiss" method (keep it simple stupid) which is much needed in today's world. The younger generations weren't given the basic stuff that we were when we were kids so it is not really "stupid" just uneducated in basic "everyone should know stuff" that we did. Keep on making your style videos because they are informative, especially like hooking up your backup generator and explaining why certain precautions are necessary. Two thumbs up from this ole guy!!

Wow... Take a bow... very cool video.... we very rarely comment on videos... but we just had too... 1st off you are one very thuro man...both with the trouble shooting concepts and your fab work and even patients to get the correct slow blow fuses... you caught my attention even more... most just say screw it and use whatever.... we appreciate the professionalism, thumbs up.... 2nd there are so many things identical here it's uncanny..... we too have this 3-cylinder Daihatsu motor on a 10kw gen set... it was made for Dometic for a large RV... ours will run on gasoline or propane, its on gasoline right now... it lived it's 351 hours of life per the functioning hobbs meter, but it lived inside it's compartment on a now scrapped RV... Heavy bugger for sure... we have taken an old junk Pentair Master Temp natural gas pool heater from our local junk scrap metal yard only to stripped everything out of it and now we have a case to install the gen set into that looks 95% the same as yours OEM case... cost zero... Gen Set almost free $300 US.... everything works as new... Here are more similarities... your two meters the Fluke87 III and your Fluke T5-600 we both run the same test equipment...this is too coincidental; we've had these two Fluke Test meters of approx 25-27ish years...amazing you have both these meters or what looks like them.. You fine Sir are a very unique, smart and hugely capable man... I like this... this video was my 1st to see at your channel... not for long... im gonna binge watch over the holiday..... OK sorry for the long back ground story... for MY REAL question.... So we can sort of figure out what this Gen Set was originally used for and how it was hooked up.... Here's my Question you were into the Gen Set Windings to check for stator/rotor damage.... did you happen to notice were the neutral/white and ground/green anywhere in the electrical service breaker box or at the gen's head set... were they every jumper'd together as a main primary electrical source, from a utility typically are... or were the neutral and ground separated...??? Very important to know... in our application will have to keep them separated for its intended use.... im sure you are seeing why we ask and are catch'n my drift... For other readers while off and isolated from any outside electrical connection.... if one checks continuity to neutral/white and ground/green this would be interesting to know....and would answer generally how this unit was installed at in its previous life assuming it was installed correctly there.... Great Channel.... you fine sir would be someone we would break bread with... Have a great 4th holiday... be safe out there.... I will sub and get notices as soon as we hit send on this apologetically long comment.... Keep up the great content....

Good recommendation for a JAMES CONDON. He’s excellent on generators very knowledgeable. Thank you, John.

I feel I’m auditing a masters level course in rotors and stators of which I know almost bupkis (nothing). But, farmer Jon’s voice is what I call ‘easy listening’. Much like my favorite sports announcers. The upshot is when your explaining something, you either have the proper timbre and resonance in your voice,,,, you have those two qualities, or you don’t. I feel I should send you a check as a thank you for your expertise and your God given talents.

Fantastic video and excellent explanation and diagrams of how generators work. I am a big fan of James Condon's channel, and between the two of you I have learned a great deal about these machines work, and how they fail. Thanks!

James has a great channel. Very instructional and easy to understand.

Thank you for a somewhat detailed explanation of a generation, the best I have seen and explained in a long time. Thank-you again.

LOL Half way thru the video I was thinking, "John needs to watch James!" and sure enough, you already did! Thanks for the video!

Your buddy got two great deals. The generator and you! Great work and great video, sir.

Thank you sir, Im learning so much here. The reason why propane tanks are often sideways kind of blew my mind. I never thought about why they are often oriented that way.