Say it ain't so, generator gone south?

[Amskeptic]

I used a tongue-depressor cut square at the end.

I didn't care too much about the end, although it might have held the sandpaper more securely. I was dipping the room card up and down along the side of the coomutator as I moved it lightly fore and aft at idle.
ColinWhoKnewHowManyWaysThereAreToDressACommutator?

[ruckman101]

Oi vey.

So shining up the commutators has only given me glimpses of joy. After Nehalem, same issue. Shined them up. Three weeks ago, same issue. Shined them up. Two days ago, same issue. Commutators are still nice and shiny.

Took the brushes out. Sure enough, uneven wear. At a slant. Brushes have been binding in their guides. Going to put in new brushes. The ones in there were the ones that came with the generator when purchased, hmmm, three years ago? Seems awful odd.


neal

[ruckman101]

That was scary. And a PITA. Rather than pick up the spring that holds the brush down, I slid it to the side. Don't do that. Once I got the spring back up to the top of the cage the brush slides into, things went smoother. When I got the generator, I replaced the small screws that tighten down the brush wires with allen head stainless. Glad I did. Much easier to deal with.

Got things back together, hopped in the car, started her up and dang it, generator light still on solid! Crickey! Shut her down and went to take a look. Thankfully I didn't do anything foolish like take a test drive to see if the brushes just needed to seat a bit. I had taken the belt off so I could get my hands in there better and hadn't put it back on. That did the trick.

My fingers are crossed these brushes will wear evenly. Time will tell.


neal

[Amskeptic]

That was scary.
Got things back together, hopped in the car, generator light still on solid!
Crickey!

went to take a look. I had taken the belt off and hadn't put it back on.

That did the trick.


neal

Senor Neal? Senior momento.
Bienvenidos.
Colin

[ruckman101]

The turn signals even seem to be a bit quicker on their blink.


neal

[Amskeptic]

The turn signals even seem to be a bit quicker on their blink.
neal

. . . a sign of health.

[ruckman101]

neal

[ruckman101]

Pretty beat up brush.





neal

[Amskeptic]

Pretty beat up brush.

neal

Out of round commutator? Worn bearings?
Colin

[ruckman101]

Shouldn't be. Too new. But I guess that means nothing these days. I'll have to put an ear to the generator to hear the bearings I guess.


neal

[Amskeptic]

Shouldn't be. Too new. But I guess that means nothing these days. I'll have to put an ear to the generator to hear the bearings I guess.


neal

No no, Neal. It ain't no about hear. You PULL that belt. You lift and drop and push and pull the generator shaft. There should be no play. You spin that generator shaft and LOOK at the brush sitting in the holder, does it move in and out (very subtle, but must not) as you rotate the generator shaft? Gently turn the generator back and forth, does the brush cock in the holder? Just hold in your mind's eye that we want soft brushes for good contact, but the softness must live in stillness, sort of like me.
Colin

[hambone]

Out of round commutator killed my old generator brushes, first in years, then in months...