Technical Generator or Alternator

Ah, but slapping a set of brushes in may or may not actually 'fix' all issues. Generators require commutator service a lot of times. Is it out of round? No longer flat at the brush contact? Does the mica between the segments need to be undercut? And commutators do have wear limits, at some point they have to be replaced. And they are RPM-limited, exploding a commutator wasn't at all uncommon. 'Back in the day', the OEMs would use a larger pulley on a generator in a hi-po application to address the RPM issue, but that would make their low RPM charging rate even worse.

 

Yup, I get that there are wear points and that at some point the commutator needs servicing or replaced... but how often are we talking? How many miles are these cars driven each year? I bet most don't see 5K miles/yr, and if it had to be "replaced" every... 30K miles (conservatively speaking)... that's still every 6 years. I think Mac's sells 12V generators for $180 (but probably chinese garbage)... $30/yr... I think I can pay the tax.

How often are you revving your engine to the point the commutator is exploding? Are you racing the car? Then yeah, you do probably need a better part... as racing usually requires heavier duty parts.

I know I didn't state my engine of choice, but I'm a flathead guy and I don't think I'm going to be spinning the R's to blow up my generator. And, like most old car enthusiasts I know, I just acquired an additional 12V generator last week when the opportunity presented itself. Now I have a back up in the event that does happen.

My dad is hi-po guy. Loves them to no end. He has 4 or 5 now.

3blap.