Reply To: non-charging generator on 1601

[Gregory Long]

Hi Tony, can you remove the cover over the brushes on the generator? If so, inspect each brush, make sure that each brush slides freely in it’s rectangular guide, and that the spring actually IS exerting pressure on the brush to keep it in contact with the commutator.

Since spraying some contact cleaner on the brushes seems to have stopped the generatrr from charging, I’m thinking that the commutator is oil covered and the cleaner did not clean, but allowed oil to cover the surface and stop the brushes from making electrical contact.

I’d use a screwdriver, or similar item to push against the end of each brush while the engine is running, often this will push the brush firmly into contact with the commutator and it will start charging.

If the commutator is black, covered with oil and carbon, I’ve used a strip of wet/dry sandpaper, 220 grit usually or what ever i can find, and lift up a brush, slide the sandpaper under the brush then rotate the generator, pushing on the brush to apply pressure to the sandpaper to clean the commutator.

Hope one of the above will get your generator ‘genning’

Greg Long