The Ford Barn

dwick01 · 02-08-2020, 12:10 PM

I took my generator off, and sitting on a bench, I can spin the pulley quite easily, almost freewheeling. It's not supposed to do that, is that correct? I would think there should at least be a little tension on it.

flatheadmurre · 02-08-2020, 12:13 PM

Only the friction from brushes should slow it down...so not a lot of drag.
If it was charging brushes must be doing their job.

dwick01 · 02-08-2020, 12:16 PM

It wasn't charging and it feels like there is no drag hardly at all. I was wondering if the brushes might be wore out?

RKS.PA · 02-08-2020, 06:44 PM

Can't hurt to put new ones in. Did it quit charging all at once?

flatheadmurre · 02-09-2020, 02:27 AM

Not to uncommon for the brushes to get stuck in their holders or that a brushspring breaks.
Take the rear off check that brushes aren´t worn down, springs for the brushes are in place and brushes move freely.

dwick01 · 02-09-2020, 05:25 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The gauge needle was just below the middle showing a little discharge when going down the highway, and if I turned my headlight on, it would go down quite a bit lower. I will pull it apart and have a look-see. Thanks to everyone for the responses.

Fordestes · 02-09-2020, 11:54 AM

Before you tear it down check to see if the generator will motor, that will give you an Idea of the brush contact.

Roger W Gerow · 02-09-2020, 06:40 PM

I have a questionable generator too. What is the correct method to make a generator motor?

Thanks, Roger

Art Newland · 02-09-2020, 10:34 PM

Really worn brushes might be good enough to get it to motor, but can still be not good enough to carry the current to work properly.

dwick01 · 02-10-2020, 06:49 AM

I ended up buying a rebuilt generator from Red's Vintage Parts and installed and polarized it yesterday. I am very happy with his service, fast shipping and communication. The rebuilt generator is working perfectly and I could not be more happy with it.

Art Newland, I kinda think that is what my old one is doing. I have a few more things I need to fix on my car, and afterwards, I am going open up the old generator which I have never done, and try to figure out what is going on with it.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

02-08-2020, 12:10 PM	#1
dwick01 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Wellington, Kansas Posts: 444	'47 Fordor Generator Question I took my generator off, and sitting on a bench, I can spin the pulley quite easily, almost freewheeling. It's not supposed to do that, is that correct? I would think there should at least be a little tension on it.

02-08-2020, 12:13 PM	#2
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: '47 Fordor Generator Question Only the friction from brushes should slow it down...so not a lot of drag. If it was charging brushes must be doing their job.

02-08-2020, 12:16 PM	#3
dwick01 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Wellington, Kansas Posts: 444	Re: '47 Fordor Generator Question It wasn't charging and it feels like there is no drag hardly at all. I was wondering if the brushes might be wore out?

02-08-2020, 06:44 PM	#4
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: '47 Fordor Generator Question Can't hurt to put new ones in. Did it quit charging all at once?

02-09-2020, 02:27 AM	#5
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: '47 Fordor Generator Question Not to uncommon for the brushes to get stuck in their holders or that a brushspring breaks. Take the rear off check that brushes aren´t worn down, springs for the brushes are in place and brushes move freely.

02-09-2020, 05:25 AM	#6
dwick01 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Wellington, Kansas Posts: 444	Re: '47 Fordor Generator Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The gauge needle was just below the middle showing a little discharge when going down the highway, and if I turned my headlight on, it would go down quite a bit lower. I will pull it apart and have a look-see. Thanks to everyone for the responses.

02-09-2020, 11:54 AM	#7
Fordestes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 886	Re: '47 Fordor Generator Question Before you tear it down check to see if the generator will motor, that will give you an Idea of the brush contact.

02-09-2020, 06:40 PM	#8
Roger W Gerow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington Posts: 182	Re: '47 Fordor Generator Question I have a questionable generator too. What is the correct method to make a generator motor? Thanks, Roger __________________ DD658

02-09-2020, 10:34 PM	#9
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: '47 Fordor Generator Question Really worn brushes might be good enough to get it to motor, but can still be not good enough to carry the current to work properly. __________________ "whatever works!"

02-10-2020, 06:49 AM	#10
dwick01 Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Wellington, Kansas Posts: 444	Re: '47 Fordor Generator Question I ended up buying a rebuilt generator from Red's Vintage Parts and installed and polarized it yesterday. I am very happy with his service, fast shipping and communication. The rebuilt generator is working perfectly and I could not be more happy with it. Art Newland, I kinda think that is what my old one is doing. I have a few more things I need to fix on my car, and afterwards, I am going open up the old generator which I have never done, and try to figure out what is going on with it. Thanks to everyone for your help.