'47 Fordor Generator Question

dwick01

dwick01

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