Generator on the fritz

[Killerbee]

Problem solved 4E8D4069-4C76-413A-9371-13B4F006D01C.jpg

[Tom Wesenberg]

You can lift the brush up with your finger under the screw that holds the brush in place, then slip a narrow piece of paper under the brush, so it doesn't contact the commutator bars. Now connect the battery charger, and the field windings should draw about 4 amps.

I just checked my generator with the belt off, and when I motor it, it draws 5 amps.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Killerbee

Problem solved Attachment 336862

Don't do that. Where do you live? I'd like to solve the problem.

[Killerbee]

That sounds like it’s testing the fields. It have new fields and brushes. The armature has been cleaned and under cut. I’ve checked brushes #2 and #3 for shorts against the housing and there good. I’ve ohmed out all the commutator bars 180 out and the all ohmed out .01 also checked all commutators for shorts against the shaft all we’re open. The gen will motor but now when ran on a drill I only get 1 volt out of it. Can you see why I’m frustrated with it ?

[Tom Wesenberg]

The generator needs to spin at about 750 or more RPM to start charging the battery. The armature needs to be tested on a growler. Someone just mailed me an armature today so I can solder a few broken wires, then check it on my growler. Even if your armature is bad, that generator has many good parts, or better yet, just install a good armature.

There must be someone close by that can check the armature on a growler. It only takes a few seconds, and I'd think any shop would test it for free.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Killerbee

Problem solved Attachment 336862

OH! that's a GARBAGE' CAN, you made my day, Killerbee
Bill Laffin'

[Killerbee]

I found a guy not to far from me that rebuilds generators. I’ll see what he thinks of it.

[Killerbee]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

OH! that's a GARBAGE' CAN, you made my day, Killerbee
Bill Laffin'

I think that’s the third time it’s been in there. I keep picking it out when I get a different idea of what the problem could be. Luckily it always comes out before trash day.

[jrelliott]

Have you checked the spring tension on the three springs especially the 3rd brush. If they bounce, they do not make sufficient contact to produce the current. This could be reason working on a drill and not on the engine due to vibration.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yes, a weak brush spring can lower the output.
I have had two armatures that passed the growler test, and the commutator to ground shorting test, and yet the generator didn't work. I installed a different armature, and it worked fine.

[Railcarmover]

Originally Posted by Killerbee

Problem solved Attachment 336862

Fuckin A, been there..hell,its been so bad Ive beat it into submission with a hammer before shit canning it..Old mechanic buddy once told me "if I cant fix it I'll fix it so nobody else can fix it"

[Patrick L.]

Well, once in awhile something just needs to be 'adjusted' with the biggest hammer you can find.

[redmodelt]

Had a Model T Gen that the armature tested good. LOL No matter what I did could not get it to do anything. Gave up and put a different armature in it, hot dog, right off the bat we were back in business.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Killerbee

Problem solved Attachment 336862

I'll give you 10 bucks and the cost of shipping for all the parts. It fits in a USPS Medium priority box.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I used to turn the armature & replace brushes on Old Lucas generators & they WOULDN'T charge +*$^%#%#$
Down to the rebuilder, he'd go to the BACK room for 17 seconds, and hand it back to me!
I bribed the Janitor Kid, to find out what he did, "OH, he jist POLARIZED it, here's how you can do it yourself"
Bill Embarrased

[Railcarmover]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I used to turn the armature & replace brushes on Old Lucas generators & they WOULDN'T charge +*$^%#%#$
Down to the rebuilder, he'd go to the BACK room for 17 seconds, and hand it back to me!
I bribed the Janitor Kid, to find out what he did, "OH, he jist POLARIZED it, here's how you can do it yourself"
Bill Embarrased

Lucas...the prince of darkness...had a zener diode on an old beezer 250 motorcycle, you could light a cigarette off it..

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Railcarmover

Lucas...the prince of darkness...had a zener diode on an old beezer 250 motorcycle, you could light a cigarette off it..

"" Why do the English drink WARM beer"?----"Lucas builds their REFRIGERATORS"
Bill Burp

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

I'll give you 10 bucks and the cost of shipping for all the parts. It fits in a USPS Medium priority box.

Definitely do that rather than throw it away.
Just be sure to pack around the pulley real good, or the PO will break the pulley when they throw it across the room and drop it on the floor.

[Killerbee]

It’s fished out of the trash can again and is going to a someone that rebuilds them. I’m convinced it’s the armature because what else can it be everything else has been replaced. I’d replace the armature my self but I can’t figure out how to get it out of the housing lid. I don’t see any clips only a sleeve that I can’t get out. I stopped before I cracked the housing.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Use a long fine thread bolt in the end of the shaft, then hold the generator pulley in your left hand while you give the bolt a sharp rap with a hammer. The pulley will pop loose, and now you can drill out the rivets from the backside. You'll have to hold the drill at an angle to clear the armature, and the rivets may spin, but you can drill most of the rivet curl away, then use a long thin punch to knock out the four rivets. Now the cover can be pulled off the bearing, and you can use 2 screwdrivers to spread the soft steel lock ring, then use a puller to remove the bearing and spacer. Then remove the last soft steel lock ring.

When you reinstall the lock rings, be sure they are tight in the groove, or the rear one will scrape on the thin metal bearing retainer.