[T3] Generator ... Again

[Keith Park]

Well, there is something wrong, its not the generator design problem.  The
new regulators will throw a light differently than the old units did, they
are less "Forgiving".  Full field the generator at idle for a few seconds
and see if it comes alive, if it does then it's the regulator.  A lot of
things can wear down the brushes prematurely, but remember, its 2012, you
cant trust ANY reman, anywhere... they are done in Mexico I believe.  

Try rebuilding it yourself, or send it to Jim better yet, he can "Growl" the
armature and see if there is an issue there.  A good generator, with all my
electrical gizmo's, trailer lights etc lasts me 40-60Kmi, and even then, all
it needs is new brushes.  I have 2 that I swap in and out and after 25 years
of doing that this is the first year one has died and needed more than
brushes, the commutator was very worn but even then Jim brought that
armature back to life.

Keith


Top Notch Restorations
topnotch at nycap.rr.com 
http://www.a383ina68.addr.com/radiorest/main.htm
71 Squareback "Hothe"
65 Notchback "El Baja Rojo"
65 Squareback "Eggcrate"
87 golf "Winterat"
93 RX7 "Redstur"


-----Original Message-----
From: type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org
[mailto:type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org] On Behalf Of Max Welton
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2012 10:13 AM
To: type3 at vwtype3.org
Subject: [T3] Generator ... Again

Well, here I go again. On my way home from work yesterday in the 68, the
charge light came one. It flickered lightly at first, then came on more
insistently. It still isn't fully "on", but she isn't charging. I happened
to be logging engine data (Megasquirt) and was able to see the main buss
voltage go from its usual 13.6 to ~12 volts. I had no problem driving home
on the battery (about 40 minutes).

This generator was a re-manufactured Bosch unit I put in last November. At
the time, I also replaced the VR with one of the new solid-state units. Buss
voltage has been very consistent up to yesterday.

The way the light is behaving makes me think that the brushes may have worn
down so that will be what I look at first.

So 10 months is a pretty short service life for brushes, even in a reman
generator. It has me thinking about alternatives. Maybe alternator
alternatives.

Max
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