1936 generator

ken1962

Hi all I want to adjust the generator output for winter. It's a 3rd brush with a cutout fitted to a 36 terraplane - I know that to increase the output I need to move the 3rd brush towards the fender - but what is the 3rd brush? I've opened the inspection plate and found all 3 brushes but they only lift up and down on the shaft - I don't want to ask my dad yet - typical Hudson repair manual was written for a mechanic not a dumb owner :-) cheers ken

Geoff

Ken, the brush you move is the top one.  It is a friction fit, so there is no need to undo any screws,  Just be careful you don't lever against the brush itself, or the insulating collar.   I know it would not be original, but it ii reasonably easy to convert this system to a two-brush regulated  set-up, then you don't have to bother with seasonal adjustment.   Good Luck. 

Geoff 

ken1962

Thanks Geoff I now understand - so simple yet I thought it complex - I just want to bump up the amp to use the lights for a few evening trips - thanks :-)

Per

Ken,

      Make sure you don't adjust it so far that it touches another brush.  This would make the generator charge too much.

             Per

ESSX28-1

Be cautious with your adjustment to avoid the fatal "dripping the silver stuff"
I learnt this the usual way!!

Geoff

what they are intimating is that you should only advance the charge enough so that you have around 1 amp charge with the headlamps on and the motor running . You would need an ammeter to check this.

ken1962

G'day all,

Yesterday I moved the brush from 1/2 to 3/4 but the voltage across the battery stayed at 7.5 volts. Nothing changed when I had the engine running at driving speed with or without lights My generator light slightly glows and never disappears. Was hoping bumping up the generator might do something with the light glow and give me some Important accessories like traffic indicators / horn at dusk

I've cleaned the battery earth to the frame and all the electrical wire connections on the starter and cutout module but the amp light remains on

I find that driving for 40 minutes on the freeway at 45 mph with my lights on I lose the function of the horn and use of the indicators by the time I get home as output is more than input - I always start the trip with a fully charged battery

My plan is to check the battery condition - rule it out - then pull the generator apart and put in new brushes ( it's been 30 years since its service) and finally just replace the cutout

If that doesn't resolve the amp light I plan to strip out the wiring harness and replace it as the car was restored in 1982 and maybe the wiring is passed its reliability

Not sure how to check amp output of the generator but yesterday found a wealth of information from the USA 1930's farm tractor sites which I've downloaded and plan to read during the week - the electrical system has me confused but I plan to work thru it till I fix it - I know probably I should just chuck the gen for an alternator - but the car 1930's charm would be lost

Currently I'm reading up how to use my voltmeter to check amperes - hopefully the auto electrician stuff sticks :-)

Cheers ken

Geoff

You cannot use a volt meter to check amperage, you need an ammeter.   My recommendation would be either fit an ammeter.  It's easy enough, you take the wire that goes from starter motor to the cut-out, and connect it to the ammeter.   The other side of the ammeter goes down to where the wire originally connected to the cut-out.  It needs to be a good heavy wire.   Then  you have a reading of exactly what is going on.  I can send you a diagram of how to do it if you want.  Contact me on NZgeoffclark@xtra.co.nz   (leave the NZ off the front of the address.) 

Geoff 

Per

Ken,

     On my '35 Hudson, I wanted to know how much my generator was charging.  I didn't need to know the balance between input and output, which is shown with the connection Geoff suggests.

     I disconnected the wire from the armature terminal of the generator, and attached the ammeter to the end of the wire and to the terminal.  

     The ammeter I used was intended for Model T fords. I bought it from J. C. Whitney.   It is -20 - 0 - +20, just right for my old generator.  The way I connected it, only the 0 to +20 side was used, because it was only registering current coming from the generator.  

                   Per