Date:         Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:14:59 -0700
Reply-To:     Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Alternator Brushes Wore Out Pretty Darn Quick
Comments: To: Tom Hargrave <thargrav@hiwaay.net>
In-Reply-To:  <0d8101cc612f$d2b44b10$781ce130$@net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

On 08/22/2011 05:58 PM, Tom Hargrave wrote:
> Fast alternator brush wear is almost always caused by burned or
> pitted commutator rings.
>
> Did you check them when you replaced the regulator or did you just
> change out the regulator?

Well, as I wrote, I was in a campsite and didn't have confidence that I
could get ahold of the forward nut of the alternator pivot bolt in the
bracket. So, no, I did not inspect the commutator rings and, for that
matter, don't know how.


> Most just change the regulator&  then blame the regulator when the
> brushes fail in a few months or weeks.

I sure don't want to be in that category of hapless idiot. I am my own
category, the worrywart idiot, and now I need to address the worn
commutator possibility.

Can anyone explain how, and what to look for?

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
Bend, Ore.
1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in
San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.

Sent from my kitchen.