Rebuilding BN2 generator

[bighealeysource]

Believe my BN2 generator might need the bush or bearing replaced. This looks like a relatively simple job but probably be the repair from heck ! Anyone do this lately ? Or as another alternative, a good source to have it rebuilt ? It's charging fine but get some bearing noise with a new belt so all of this might be more preventative type maintenance.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Johnny]

Not hard to do if you have the manual. No special tools required. I did have a bearing puller that came in handy, but lacking that you can "split" it and pull it out with a chisel and longnose pliers. While apart check the points and clean the armature as well.

 

[57_BN4]

Hi Mike,

Very easy job to change the bearing and probably worth doing the rear bush and brushes as well. The parts are fairly common although some people seem to sell 'kits' on Ebay for very high prices

The bearing is held in by three rivets which can be gently pushed out in the vise with a socket and thin punch. I have reused mine ok with the assistance of a ball-peen hammer upon reassembly.

To get the rear bush out of the end plate, first put a small piece of plastic or wood down the hole to protect the oil-retaining felt then wind a coarse tap into the bush which will bottom out on your bit of plastic and pull the bush out. To lubricate the new bush, sit it on your thumb so one end is sealed, then fill it up with engine oil and squash the other thumb into the top. Keep doing that a few times until oil runs out all around the outside surface, then dump the oil out. Skipping this step will result in rapid wear as the bush is porous and traps oil in the tiny holes.

Also worth looking at the insulation on the stator windings, if it is oil soaked or falling apart then you can redo it using some cotton tape from a sewing store and spray it liberally with clear paint once completed.

Andy.

 

[EV2239]

eBay is expensive for Lucas Dynamo bits, I paid £27 for a new exchange one at my local motor factors. That's $40 and on eBay you pay £69 or $100.

I used to rebuild mine, but the problem is that the field winding insulation breaks down, which means that unless the wrapping is removed, the coil opened out and stripped of shellac and then re-dipped and bound again, it may not last long.

Therefore I recommend finding someone who does all this and there must be more in the Sttes than here. Also it's worth giving him the regulator at the same time so that the two are set for each other. They last for years if they are in good order.

 

[rossco]

Are you certain the new belt isn't too tight?

 

[bighealeysource]

Hey y'all,
Thanks for the advice and descriptions. This will make a nice winter project! Did check about if I had it on too tight as switched to a cogged belt which does not need to be on as tight as a non cogged belt. Not too tight but as sure as I go to reduce some of the slack, get the whine. Cannot use the factory manual guidelines for tightness with the cogged belt. Norman Nock even recommended a cogged belt in his Tech Talk so I'll stick with this new one.
Thanks,
Mike