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Smoking Generator

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DuaneR

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Well I got the fuel pump situation taken care but now this afternoon I backed the car out of the garage for a quick wash and some ebay pics and holy smoking generator. That baby got hot! I am going to be listing it soon so should I just put a generator back in or an alternator conversion kit? Any more attractive than the other for selling?
 
Why not just have the generator rebuilt & then install it?
 
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Why not just have the generator rebuilt & then install it?

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Got any contacts? Thanks for your reply.
 
Surely there's an automotive electrical place near you that rebuilds generatos, alternators, & starters.
 
The armitures for bugeyes are hard to come by Tony and mine needs rewound. Bearings are easy and my fields are fine.
 
Are the armatures the same as early Spridgets/Midgets?
 
If it truly is just a bad generator- I have a couple of them down here in Renton (pretty cheap if yoy are interested) but I doubt that it is just the generator bad, could be the regulator. You need to check the system voltage when it is running and be sure that it is 13 or 14 volts and no higher. If it is higher then resetting the regulator could correct the whole problem.
Bill
 
[ QUOTE ]
If it truly is just a bad generator- I have a couple of them down here in Renton (pretty cheap if yoy are interested) but I doubt that it is just the generator bad, could be the regulator. You need to check the system voltage when it is running and be sure that it is 13 or 14 volts and no higher. If it is higher then resetting the regulator could correct the whole problem.
Bill

[/ QUOTE ]


I would be very interested. Now that I have removed the generator do I need to reinstall and start the car? I removed it because it didnt want to stop cooking. I disconnected the battery quickly to stop anything more. Any thoughts on how to test regulator without car running? Its nice to know you are close by, can I bring it by your shop to test have the generator tested?

Duane
 
Can't remember off hand, but if you have the factory manual, there are some tests in there. I had my generator rebuilt by a local shop here in Utah. Did a great job, and were able to source the parts needed.
 
There are two types of generators on Sprites and Midgets. One has a rear tac drive and one does not. Both will work on any of the little cars but you loose the mechanical tac if you use the late model one.

I need an armiture for a mechinical tac, Best I have found is 125 bucks.
 
That sounds pricey, Jack I got my generator rebuilt (including armature, If I remember right) for $180.
 
Did they rewind the armature?
Mine has some melted wires.
 
I reinstalled the generator but before I connected the wires I checked the regulator. Apparently two of the contacts were closed so I opened them. I guess when i was snooping around earlier I had the reg cap off and must have pushed them closed, key was also on. Does that sound like a reasonable cause to the smoking generator? I am still not sure where I need to test with a volt meter but across the fuse block I got a steady 12-13 volts, maybe 14 (not a digital meter)large scale so hard to say exactly. Maybe everything is ok now.
 
yep, there is a cutoff switch in that regulator. forget which contact. It keeps the generator from motoring when engine is off. If it trys to motor against the fan belt it will burn up. The generator that is.
 
Yes-looks like you found the culprit. You probably now don't need anything further but if you do I'll be glad to help. By the way, my shop is just my garage- I am a weekend mechanic only.
Bill
 
Boy am I glad I am not a summer mechanic, it is too hot for words out there. Was a great time to have bodywork done.
 
Thanks Billm and jlaird and all for your help, very much appreciated! maybe see you in Renton one of these days Bill.
 
Billm,
Who do you recommend for rebuilding generators in the area? I have a friend who's Healey generator output is ok, but the bearings sound like they are on their last legs.
 
Don't have a clue- Sorry. I haven't ever taken any of my British cars to a repair shop, I just read the manual and do it myself. Replacing bearings shouldn't be too hard.
Bill
 
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