"Exciter" on welder question.

[CRS51]

Hello all, I have a Lincoln engine driven welder powered by a 4 cylinder Ford engine, it is rated at 400 amps. Now the question is what exactly does the exciter do and can anyone explain in very simple terms so I can understand ?
Had the machine for about 10 years and it never lets me down !

Cheers Chris.

 

[Big Pete]

I think, but am not 100% sure, that they are a small permanent magnet generator that powers the coils in the main set for start up. Once the big generator starts the exciter is done and disconnects IIRC.

 

[pedrobedro]

Wikipedia explains it nicely I think.

 

[shenion]

The exciter powers the field current. There is only a slight magnetism in the armature. The exciter generates a voltage, that powers the field windings that produce more current.

 

[CRS51]

Thankyou,
Chris.

 

[gordon stephenson]

In one of the steam turbine power stations I used work in doing major overhauls, they had an amplidyne to excite the exciter that excited the main generator,