Check your generator's internal wiring!

[ndnchf]

I just finshed restoring this generator for a fellow model A'r. The wiring had dragged on the armature, shorted and burned up. This is a good reminder to always check the position of the wires when adjusting the 3rd brush. Look at both the field and output wires. Make sure they are clear of the armature.

 

[Trapdoor2]

Looks really good! I just removed mine yesterday (replaced with an HEI 6v+ alternator). I will eventually break it all down and restore it as you have...and then I'll have either a back-up or trading material.

 

[Mike Peters]

Thanks for the tip. Great work!

 

[Sunny the Model A]

i recently overhauled 3 generators, two A and one T genny. the generators i find mostly that failed was due to someone wiring it up incorrectly or due to a short in the windings in the armature. i've found that if you rebuild them right, they are rock solid reliable. the generator on my daily 31 hasn't given me a hint of trouble and it always keeps the battery charged.

 

[ndnchf]

Many of the problems I find are the result of previous work where shortcuts were taken. Just a single repair where other marginal issues were not corrected. This is often related to the field coils because most people dont have the tools, desire or know how to remove and rebuild or replace them.

These early generators with the terminal post at the pulley end are problematic because of the 7" long wire from the output brush to the terminal post. Its is routed between the field coils, only about 3/8" above the spinning armature. Originally the wire was lashed to one of the field coils to keep it from drooping down onto the armature. Many latter-day repairs neglect to do this. Eventually the wire sags down and the result is what I encountered with this generator.

 

[old31]

Curious, what do you use to put the winding up to be screwed in?

 

[ndnchf]

Curious, what do you use to put the winding up to be screwed in?

Sorry, but I don't understand your question.

 

[old31]

Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't there a special tool that you use to keep the windings up Tight against the case and then screw it.

 

[ndnchf]

Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't there a special tool that you use to keep the windings up Tight against the case and then screw it.

Ok - you are referring to a tool that holds the pole shoes tight against the case so the pole shoe screws can be tightend.

Here is my video on the subject:
https://youtu.be/K0Bgnxw_6pI?si=sjM355yCGoC9tXoa

Here is another video using a different screw jack to remove and install Powerhouse pole shoes:
https://youtu.be/YATg14tmdiU?si=nHO7E1CASUgpFNN

 

[old31]

Yes, that's what I was looking for. Great videos, thanks.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

A heavy duty exhaust pipe expander works great as pole piece expander.
Way back when I started rebuilding generators I didn’t have such tools and used a bad armature— beat on the shaft and tightened the screws repeating several times until I figured they were tight using the hit with hammer impact driver.
A screw removal and tightening fixture can be made pretty simply using Harbor freight screwdriver bits

 

[Kurt in NJ]

The exhaust pipe expander