Generator problems

[Norman Kling]

On the 4th of July we went to a parade. The generator was working. The next time I tried to drive the car the generator didn't charge. I swapped generators with another T which has been parked for about 5 years. It doesn't charge either. I tried running on magneto and jumped across the cutout but that makes no difference. Sliding the 3rd brush back and forth doesn't work in any position either. I even tried swapping the wires behind the ammeter. When I turn on the lights it shows charge, so I swapped them back. I have battery to the cutout but no output from the generator. I tried swapping cutouts with one from another car. I know that cutout works. Does anyone have a suggestion on what to do?
Norm

[TWrenn]

Yeh I'll rile up the purists again...get an alternator! After similar aggravating and annoying issues with the generator on my Fordor, rebuilding the brush plate, etc. it still would act up and quit. I have never been happier (so far anyway) since switching to the alternator. I have no plans to have this car "judged" so who cares. Plus, if you wanna "look pure" and have extra $$ there is an alternator in generator's clothing! BTW, I did discover enlarging the hole in which one inserts the 3rd. brush wrench makes that operation a whole lot better!

[Moxie26]

Contact Jeff Stevenson at www.modeltstarters.com for help, verbal and physical. His phone number is on the website..... Norm.... What type of cutout/ regulator are you using on your generator? Original style points, diode, electronic?.... Could be that unit on top of your generator is defective since your ammeter does show that your generator will charge at times.

[speedytinc]

A very common problem with old generators is the back brush plate insulator. The insulator fails under the head of the 3rd brush carriage screw causing a ground out. Disassemble the end cover & remove the brush plate. Inspect there & for breaks, loose wires & worn down brushes. Maybe you get lucky.
Follow the service manual doing as much as possible. If no joy, send it out for a growler test & full rebuild.
Good luck.

[Norman Kling]

John, I suspect you could have the bolt on the head I had problems finding a place along the path of the 3rd brush adjustment where it would charge 10 amps. Some places it would not even charge. Now no adjustment of the 3rd brush will make it work. I don't need it to keep up with headlights because I try to drive only in daytime hours and would only turn on the lights in areas where the posted daylight lights on. Or through tunnels. Once in a while from a motel to a restaurant, usually for a short distance in well lit areas. Fortunately with the battery charged, the starter will give many starts without draining the battery and as soon as it starts I switch to mag.
Norm

[Moxie26]

Norm... Sounds like you answered your own question about charging, the adjustment bolt on the adjustable brush ring has grounded out, needing replacement insulators.

[TWrenn]

Norm... Sounds like you answered your own question about charging, the adjustment bolt on the adjustable brush ring has grounded out, needing replacement insulators.

I did all that and it worked a bit then quit again. I suspected then either the armature or field coil...by then the cost justified the price of the alternator. Nuff said!

[Moxie26]

Norm ... Any progress on your generator problem?