Reply To: non-charging generator on 1601

[Anthony Zappone]

Golden Alternator and Starter from Rochester, N.Y. called yesterday to tell me that the generator was repaired. He tested everything inside, turned the commutator, revarnished things inside, etc. The cause of failure was the deteriorated brushes. He found exact replicas of the brushes in Texas for around $95 (all three). The third brush contacts were detached or all but detached from the leads. Total cost for repair, around $150. He noted that all brushes were in a deteriorated condition. Bob Sands whose work in the steel mills involved electric motor maintenance, mentions that cleaning solution should never be sprayed on brushes, as their failure will be imminent. An interesting aside is that the generator I had on the shelf, that is in the ’36 now, begins to charge immediately. Bill at the repair shop says that the rebuilt unit also begins charging at low RPM. Perhaps the slow startup for charging prior to the total failure on my unit, and some other people’s (Ed Minnie) is an indication of poor brush connections, and possible future failure.