Author Topic: Generator Rebuild  (Read 2866 times)

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Offline Jeremy

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Generator Rebuild
« on: November 08, 2010, 08:06:05 PM »
So Edmonds battery says my 12v generator is shot. He said he couldn't even get parts to rebuild it. Is there someone locally who does this or is it even worth it? Maybe just buy the rebuild from CIP?

Jeremy
'59 Beetle
'59 Single Cab

Offline Bruce

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Re: Generator Rebuild
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2010, 09:45:51 PM »
The basic ingrediants are a set of brushes and new bearings.  Buy the brushes from CIP, get the bearings from any industrial bearing store.  Only buy bearings made in a G8 country if possible.

Offline Jeremy

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Re: Generator Rebuild
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2010, 12:21:44 PM »
Thanks for the reply Bruce. Is that all that can go wrong with these generators. The brushes look long enough to be making contact with the armature. The bearing has some play but would that stop it from charging?
'59 Beetle
'59 Single Cab

Offline Bruce

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Re: Generator Rebuild
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2010, 02:55:16 PM »
Did you take it all apart?

If there's play in the bearings, replace them, they're cheap.

If there's a lot of wear on the armature where the brushes rub, you should smooth them out.  The ideal way is to take a light skim off them in a lathe.  Sandpaper works too.

Check the windings for continuity.  Both the field and armature.  I'm sure the book shows where to test.

My alternator has over 250k miles on it!

Offline Jeremy

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Re: Generator Rebuild
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2010, 04:23:04 PM »
I took it apart to paint it. It came apart pretty straight forward. One of the wires from the field windings broke off so I soldered it back on. It was pretty oily inside and I wiped out as much as I could. Come to think of it if the brushes were soaked in oil would that render them useless? What book?
'59 Beetle
'59 Single Cab

Offline Bruce

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Re: Generator Rebuild
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2010, 09:15:48 PM »
Repair manual.