Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Noisy New Generator

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion << previous || next >>

Posted By Discussion Topic: Noisy New Generator -- page: 1 2     doning 08-17-2011 @ 4:33 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 158 Joined: Nov 2009 I recently bought and installed a new 3 brush generator for my '37 Ford from a popular early V8 restortation company. After about 5 miles on the new generator it is making a steady cuh, cuh, cuh sound coming from the rear where the brushes are. Is this a normal sound from a new generator? It almost sounds like the brushes being cut into the armature. Thanks. ford38v8 08-17-2011 @ 5:08 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2765 Joined: Oct 2009 doning, no, there should be no sound at all. YOu may pull the inspection cover to examine the brushes in action to determine if this is the problem. The noise may also be from a lack of lubrication. There is an oil cup at the rear, a trap door with a felt inside. Before I had my generator rebuilt, I had to oil this point almost every day. Alan supereal 08-18-2011 @ 12:13 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 Remove the band and check to see that the brushes and springs are in the proper place, and that the brushes are free to move. I assume that the generator is a "rebuilt", and not a new one, as I haven't seen one of those for a very long time. It could be a rough rear bushing or an armature that was cut off center. Most vendors don't do the work themselves, and rely on a third party. As you say it was recently purchased, I'd box it up and return it for refund or replacement. 37RAGTOPMAN 08-18-2011 @ 3:27 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1963 Joined: Oct 2009 SUPER is right, you paid good money,for a defective unit,you deserve to receive a quality rebuild, just make sure it is defective, I think the place were you bought the unit should make good for it,they also should pay the shipping for sending back and another unit to you, call them up, and explain you are no happy with the unit sent to you, would be really nice to know, were you bought it so other members would were not to go ,,,, my 3 cents 37RAGTOPMAN Try CERTIFIED AUTO ELECTRIC, they advertise in the V8 TIMES, and are nice to deal with, doning 08-18-2011 @ 4:33 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 158 Joined: Nov 2009 I found out what is making the noise. It is the brushes. The spring tension on the brushes are very strong. I lifted the brushes up on my old original generator and they are much weaker. Is this anything to worry about now? supereal 08-18-2011 @ 8:29 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 The chances are it will quiet down after running awhile. If the brushes are not fitted to the armature, the rough edges of the commutator segments will be noisy until the brushes wear. Now that generators have virtually disappeared from cars, few technicians know how to fit the brushes. Strong brushes are better than weak ones, and as the brushes wear, the springs will lessen tension. This message was edited by supereal on 8-18-11 @ 8:30 PM 37RAGTOPMAN 08-19-2011 @ 8:38 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1963 Joined: Oct 2009 If the brushes are arcing spark a great deal, it might be a problem,if they keep that up they will burn up the copper commutator also how many amps are they charging? check them in the dark. get back to us, my 3 cents 37RAGTOPMAN supereal 08-19-2011 @ 3:25 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 I'd bet the noise lessens or disappears after a couple of hundred miles. doning 08-19-2011 @ 3:41 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 158 Joined: Nov 2009 The brushes are not throwing any sparks. Right now the generator is charging at 20 amps going down the road. Too much? 37RAGTOPMAN 08-19-2011 @ 5:51 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1963 Joined: Oct 2009 I would set it at 10 amps and see if that maintains a charge of the battery at that point, if you drive a lot at night, you might have to step it up, with the lights on it should just show a little movement of the needle to the charge side, my 3 cents worth 37RAGTOPMAN

<< previous || next >>

PAGE: 1 2

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

EFV-8 Club Forum Home | Back to Home Page | Contact the Webmaster

Copyright © 2009 - EFV-8.org
Powered by < CF FORUM > v.2.1