Whats This “Gen” or “Generation” BS?!

CFD244 said
You got me on that one?

"Generally" lol, in the old days when generators first were used on vehicles, they did not have regulators. Generators must have a cutout relay, because on shutdown, they will try to "motor" and in a regulator, the cutout is included. The "3rd brush" was moveable to regulate current. You set it for "average" use. If you used it heavier in winter (lights) you bumped it up

Ford Model T:

Adjusting 3rd brush on an early (30's) Chev