The Ford Barn

Colonel · 09-21-2017, 06:17 PM

Generator squeeks when rotated clockwise by hand on bench. No noise when rotated counter clockwise. Put some WD in the nose area but no change. Unit generates nicely when on car. Hate to tear it apart. Thoughts?

J Franklin · 09-21-2017, 06:30 PM

Oh what the heck, tear that thing apart.

Big hammer · 09-21-2017, 06:33 PM

WD-40 is a solvent! Use some real oil in each end. Motor oil 10W30 would be good

Ed Saniewski · 09-21-2017, 06:43 PM

I was having a problem with my generator squeaking up at the New England meet. I went to the repair tent for some 3 in 1 oil. All they could offer was some motor oil, which we placed in the oil holes. But it did not help. They thought it could be the belt, or maybe the water pump. What it turned out to be was the brushes inside the generator, not a bearing. Now all I have to do is figure out how to fix it. Maybe Tom W. has an idea.

SeaSlugs · 09-21-2017, 07:33 PM

yea wd-40 should be kept in the far reaches of the garage...

Ed- sueaky brushes could be because of glazing- time to dissassemble and clean very well with electric cleaner (wont harm shelac on the windings) a stiff nylon brush to clean the commutator and clean the gunk outa the grooves will help. spray the cleaner and lightly scrub the brushes as well. Make sure the brushes slide easy peazy in thier respective holders and the springs put the proper tension on them. The bushings/bearings could be dry as well and squeak - good time to make sure the oil holes are actually open and not gunked up with 80 years of dirt and carbon...

larrys40 · 09-21-2017, 10:08 PM

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OK... you guys are thinking about bushing or bearings but I have had the brushes make a squeak as well. Take of the cover band and you can gently lift up the 3rd brush while it's running and see if it quits. Could be one of the others but usually it's the 3rd brush.
Let it snap back into place and it may reseat and go away ( temporarily or not)
I'll put bets on it.

Larry Shepard

Tom Wesenberg · 09-21-2017, 11:43 PM

Yes, sometimes the brushes squeak, but usually wear in and get quiet.
Is the commutator smooth?
Can you hear it when the engine is turning it?
If yes, then you could slip a strip of fine sandpaper under the brush (sand to the brush side) and pull it out, so it gives a new surface to the brush.

Ed Saniewski · 09-23-2017, 06:03 AM

Thanks for the help, I will try to get out to the barn this weekend and try it out.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-23-2017, 06:17 AM

Chief, my Dad, would say, "Turn UP yo' NOS Transistor Radio & you won't hear it"!--You Guys would have liked Chief, he was SO funny & LOVED Model As. He thought Model As were a gift from GOD!--SURE miss him.
Bill W.

09-21-2017, 06:17 PM	#1
Colonel Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 251	Generator Squeek Generator squeeks when rotated clockwise by hand on bench. No noise when rotated counter clockwise. Put some WD in the nose area but no change. Unit generates nicely when on car. Hate to tear it apart. Thoughts?

09-21-2017, 06:30 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,969	Re: Generator Squeek Oh what the heck, tear that thing apart.

09-21-2017, 06:33 PM	#3
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Generator Squeek WD-40 is a solvent! Use some real oil in each end. Motor oil 10W30 would be good __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

09-21-2017, 06:43 PM	#4
Ed Saniewski Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Denville NJ Posts: 964	Re: Generator Squeek I was having a problem with my generator squeaking up at the New England meet. I went to the repair tent for some 3 in 1 oil. All they could offer was some motor oil, which we placed in the oil holes. But it did not help. They thought it could be the belt, or maybe the water pump. What it turned out to be was the brushes inside the generator, not a bearing. Now all I have to do is figure out how to fix it. Maybe Tom W. has an idea. __________________ Model A Ford Club of New Jersey http://www.mafcnj.org Model A Pick Up Owners and Enthusiasts https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/group.php?groupid=5

09-21-2017, 07:33 PM	#5
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Generator Squeek yea wd-40 should be kept in the far reaches of the garage... Ed- sueaky brushes could be because of glazing- time to dissassemble and clean very well with electric cleaner (wont harm shelac on the windings) a stiff nylon brush to clean the commutator and clean the gunk outa the grooves will help. spray the cleaner and lightly scrub the brushes as well. Make sure the brushes slide easy peazy in thier respective holders and the springs put the proper tension on them. The bushings/bearings could be dry as well and squeak - good time to make sure the oil holes are actually open and not gunked up with 80 years of dirt and carbon... __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

09-21-2017, 10:08 PM	#6
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: Generator Squeek Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) OK... you guys are thinking about bushing or bearings but I have had the brushes make a squeak as well. Take of the cover band and you can gently lift up the 3rd brush while it's running and see if it quits. Could be one of the others but usually it's the 3rd brush. Let it snap back into place and it may reseat and go away ( temporarily or not) I'll put bets on it. Larry Shepard

09-21-2017, 11:43 PM	#7
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Generator Squeek Yes, sometimes the brushes squeak, but usually wear in and get quiet. Is the commutator smooth? Can you hear it when the engine is turning it? If yes, then you could slip a strip of fine sandpaper under the brush (sand to the brush side) and pull it out, so it gives a new surface to the brush.

09-23-2017, 06:03 AM	#8
Ed Saniewski Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Denville NJ Posts: 964	Re: Generator Squeek Thanks for the help, I will try to get out to the barn this weekend and try it out. __________________ Model A Ford Club of New Jersey http://www.mafcnj.org Model A Pick Up Owners and Enthusiasts https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/group.php?groupid=5

09-23-2017, 06:17 AM	#9
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Generator Squeek Chief, my Dad, would say, "Turn UP yo' NOS Transistor Radio & you won't hear it"!--You Guys would have liked Chief, he was SO funny & LOVED Model As. He thought Model As were a gift from GOD!--SURE miss him. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"