6V generator

[Ricosan]

I just bought a “rebuilt “ 6V generator from a fellow on EBay. It looks real good but it has a loud squeal when turned by hand. Should I send this generator back?

Richard

[1931 flamingo]

Maybe a brush "cocked" during shipping??
Paul in CT

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Ricosan

I just bought a “rebuilt “ 6V generator from a fellow on EBay. It looks real good but it has a loud squeal when turned by hand. Should I send this generator back?

Richard

If it is truly rebuilt it will have new brushes. Many times the new brushes will squeal....

[Ricosan]

I don’t want to send this generator back if there is a chance that it’s just a matter of running it for a while. Tomorrow I’ll install it and run it for a bit.

Richard

[KGS]

Originally Posted by Ricosan

I don’t want to send this generator back if there is a chance that it’s just a matter of running it for a while. Tomorrow I’ll install it and run it for a bit.

Richard

I would contact the seller first and discuss your concerns. I don't know the terms of your sale but most sellers won't take back an electrical item if it has been used.

[flatford8]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by KGS

I would contact the seller first and discuss your concerns. I don't know the terms of your sale but most sellers won't take back an electrical item if it has been used.

X2 on this advice...let them know you think there might be a problem and ask if you can return it if you end up being right.....Mark

[Ricosan]

Thanks guys, good advice. I’ll get in touch he seller before I install.

Richard

[Scotty's 52 F3]

When I rebuilt my generator the new brushes on a fresh commutator squealed like you describe. They will wear in as mentioned.

Please let us know how it goes so this can help others down the road instead of being a dead end thread.

[Tinker]

I'd make a complaint to the company even if it turns out well just for records. You can always say your fine publicly.

[petehoovie]

If you've got some dielectric silicone spray or contact cleaner on hand, spray it on the commutator where the brushes mate and I'll bet the squeal goes away....

[koates]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

If you've got some dielectric silicone spray or contact cleaner on hand, spray it on the commutator where the brushes mate and I'll bet the squeal goes away....

Sorry but I don't recommend spraying anything on the commutator or brushes at all. Take the generator to your local auto electrical shop and have him run it up on his test bench. The only thing to do on the commutator is run some fine sandpaper around it. Don't use emery paper. Regards, Kevin.

[Terry,OH]

Did you add oil to the rear bushing through the oil cup? What year is the generator?

[Kurt in NJ]

many times brushes will squeak when the generator is turned backwards

[Bill OH]

I had the same problem with squeaky generator brushes on a flathead when I was 16 and my grandfather had me put just a drop of kerosene on the commutator and no problems after that application.

[Ricosan]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I’ve just finished installing the generator. Too hot for a long drive this afternoon so I plan to take it out in the morning for a 10 or 15 mile drive to see if I can get the brushes to settle in.

Richard

[Ricosan]

Took my car for a drive this morning. Squeal is still there but the engine makes so much noise I can hardly hear it. Problem is that it isn’t charging. My original generator had 2 wires coming from the hole on topand this one has only a single post. I think I hooked it up correctly. Here is what I did. I made a short piece of wire to connect the “ARM” side of the cutout to the post on the generator and connected the battery wire to the “BAT” side.

No weird noises or any smoke. Does it sound like a bad cutout?

Richard

[Bob C]

Looks like you are missing the insulator on the cutout cover.


Bob

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by bob c

looks like you are missing the insulator on the cutout cover.
Bob

yup!

[Ricosan]

Thanks guys, I found the old insulator stuck to the end of the wire on my old generator!
I installed it and I started it in the garage It appears to be working. I will take it for a drive tomorrow to see if is functioning properly.

Richard

[Ricosan]

Started my car this morning to take it out for a test of the generator. It started easily but as soon as I massaged the accelerator to keep it running, I heard a loud noise. As I raise the RPMs, this noise intermittently kicks in and out. Had no noise on my drive yesterday. The only thing different is the addition of the insulator washer.

Richard

[petehoovie]

Describe the "noise'....

[koates]

I note that your car is a 1934 Ford ,but the generator you have fitted appears to be for a 1933 Ford. The 33 gen has a single terminal on top where the 34 has two wires out of the top hole like the gen you took off your car. The 34 gen has cooling fan blades cast into the front pulley with openings in the front and rear gen end plates for air flow. The 34 generator is a better unit with those improvements. You have already made one incorrect connection on the cut out by leaving out the insulator which ran the generator output straight to ground through the cut out cover, so not good. I suggest that you take the generator to an auto electrical shop so they can run it up on their test bench, and can listen for that noise also. Make sure you tell them your car is positive to ground as was built, that's provided your car is positive ground. Cant afford to mess with these things. Regards, Kevin.

[Ricosan]

Thanks Kevin. This rebuilt generator was advertised as fitting 33,34,35,36 and I think 37. I spoke to the seller yesterday about the noise. He thinks it may be the fan belt slipping because of the new paint. Suggested I spray WD40 on the pulley. I didn’t do it.

The sound. It is mostly absent at idle but as I raise the RPM, it suddenly is there and then it’s gone a few seconds later. It doesn’t come on slow as getting louder as RPMs increase but rather it’s suddenly there and then it’s not. The sound comes and goes. It sounds just like a bearing or bushing trying to seize. Very loud!

Richard

[koates]

Richard, what it was advertised as fitting and what it was originally fitted to are two different things. He was selling it so he would say it fitted those other models and it would work on them but that does not make it correct for 1934. You have no idea of how good the workmanship was in its rebuild. It needs checking by someone who knows these generators. Regards, Kevin.

[Ricosan]

Thanks Kevin, I drove it for a few miles yesterday and the “howling” stopped but to my ear and a friend of mine who has more mechanical skills than me, it now has a “growling” sound coming from the front of the generator.
Unfortunately I have only until September 19 to return for a full refund. Too.hot this afternoon, so in the morning I’ll take her out for a 15 or 20 mile drive and see how it sounds after that.
If it doesn’t purr smoothly by the end of the drive, I’m going to stick it back into the box it came in and send it back.
I’ll have my original ‘34 generator restored.

[Ricosan]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Went out to take the car out for good long drive to see if the brushes would seat. Was greeted with the howl again! I don’t trust this generator anymore and am not ready to risk it seizing on the road or worse, a fire. I’m taking it out and sending it back today.

A big thank you to everyone who has patiently helped me through this saga. I’m going to send my ‘34 generator off to be rebuilt.

Richard

[Tinker]

Would brushes make a metal on metal sound or howl? Maybe some. i would think it's a front bearing issue, or maybe worse.


Agree the right call is to send it back as you said.

[Phil Gillespie]

Originally Posted by Ricosan

Went out to take the car out for good long drive to see if the brushes would seat. Was greeted with the howl again! I don’t trust this generator anymore and am not ready to risk it seizing on the road or worse, a fire. I’m taking it out and sending it back today.

A big thank you to everyone who has patiently helped me through this saga. I’m going to send my ‘34 generator off to be rebuilt.

Richard

Have had similar. Turned out to be front bearing spinning in front cover housing! Armature was also damaged in way of bearing location.
Phil NZ