JIPJOBXX Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 Ok I was wondering if a generator is putting out not enough voltage can you increase this with just installing new brushes? The reason I'm asking this is that my new 1960 Thunderbird generator is only putting out 12 volts not 13 what it is suppose to put out. I have not taken out the generator but before replace it with a new rebuilt one I would just rather replace the brushes but I do not know if this will have any effect on the output of the generator. Thanks and I know this does not have anything to do with mopars but it still is a general question. Thanks Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Frank Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 You said it is a new generator. If so, it should not need brushes to be replaced. Sounds more like the voltage regulator might be acting up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normspeed Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 Jon , I'd check all the battery cable and solenoid connections first, and make sure the regulator has a good path to ground. connections that have had a few years to corrode can put up a bunch of resistance and degrade the charging system performance. Brushes tend to be more an all or nothing thing, if they get too short the generator cuts off. What kind of guage are you measuring the 12 volts with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JIPJOBXX Posted November 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 No it an old generator and I just want to see if I can make it work properly. If I can't then I guess I will haft to fork out 100 dollars to replace it. Oh yes I had it professionally tested at an auto repair shop and they told me the bad news. Its the generator but like I said before do you think I would be wasting my time and money by putting in new brushes. Thanks Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normspeed Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 I see it like this. Brushes are cheap, whole generators aren't. I would sure try a set of brushes, and I'd clean up the armature they ride on with some electrical cleaner and maybe some 600-800 grit sandpaper. Check what your Tbird manual says, they probably have some other things to freshen it up, like undercutting the armature which I've never tried. If it doesn't work, save those new brushes in your parts pile, if you turn it in as a core, they're not gonna re-use them. Sometimes knowing the skills some of the forum guys have, I'm almost ashamed to post shade tree stuff. But, if it's worked for me at some point, what the heck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 Why not replace it with an alternator??? You can get a re-man'ed 1 wire for in the 70 dollar neighborhood. Unless you are going for 100% close to factory, and it is already 12V neg, seems like an alt either a rebuilt one or one from a pick and pull, you'd probably be further int he long run. If you can find a V8 Ford fromt he early 80's you can probably nab the bracketry also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob westphal Posted November 25, 2006 Report Share Posted November 25, 2006 If your brushes are worn, the generator won't put out the proper voltage. If you replace them you will need to resurface the comuntator(the area where the brushes ride). A make shift job can be done with some sand paper or emory cloth. You will also need to clean out the groves between the segments to about 1/32" below the segments surface with a broken hacksaw blde. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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