<VV> Generator light on - not now!

[Dennis & Debbie PLEAU]

Slap a set of brushes in it.

dp


>From: Doug Mackintosh <dougmackintosh at yahoo.com>
>To: Virtual Vairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
>Subject: <VV> Generator light on - not now!
>Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2006 00:47:57 +0100 (BST)
>
>Need some advice from the wise sages of Virtual Vairs. My daughter's '64 
>Spyder was working fine when parked (about 5 days ago). When she started it 
>today to go visit a friend the generator light would not go out. Revving 
>the engine did not make it go out. Grounding the Field terminal (jumper 
>from generator Field terminal to the battery ground strap) did not make it 
>go out.
>
>   About an hour later we were doing a few final checks before replacing 
>the generator. Checked voltage from the Regulator BAT terminal to the 
>battery ground strap. Read about 12.67 V before starting the car. Read the 
>same or less after starting, likewise when revved up. Shut car off and 
>Leigh said the light had gone out just before shutting off. Re-started. It 
>read 13.01 V while idling, Grounded field terminal, it read 17 + Volts. 
>Seems to be working fine now (we just finished a 1 hour cruise).
>
>   So what could have caused this? Could the brushes have developed an 
>insulating coating while it sat for 5 days, which "wore off"? Or is it an 
>intermittant problem that means we should go ahead an swap out the 
>generator now.
>
>   The generator is an old one of unknown provenence "borrowed" from my 
>project car about 4 years ago. The brushes were replaced a couple of years 
>ago.
>
>   Thanks!
>
>
>-- Doug Mackintosh
>   Corsa member since 1996
>   Corsa/NC member since 1996,  Virtual Vairs member
>   Corvair owner 1969-1971 and 1996-on