Best Generator rebuild

Hi all,

Time to get my 6 volt generator rebuilt any one have advice on who does the best rebuild? 57 CJ5 Auto-lite

Thanks

Jon

 

If it only needs a bushing, bearing and brushes I'd say do it yourself, if you are up to it, might be a 2 hour job.
If it died then I would say to look in the phone book for a place that rebuilds them using your old housing, armature, etc. so everything that is in your Jeep is origional, if that matters to you.
I don't know where you are, you might try to update your signature so somebody in your area may give you a hint.

 

I'm game for trying but have not found anything but bushings for parts. My CJ has a low output. Amp light on, Battery at 6.25 to 6.32 while it's running.
As for updating my Signature I don't know how, I'm not a computer savy person.

 

Here in town I have 3 places that rebuild your old units if that is your desire.
I know of 2 places that still have the old paper books under the shelf to look up outdated parts, and they can get them.
It's possible that the regulator is bad from your description, or the generator
Or it could be some bad wires or bad ground.
Don't just start throwing parts in without doing some tests, it gets real expensive if you do this and probably won't fix it..
Try searching here for some old posts or try a search on the CJ3B site, this has been covered many times.
Start at making sure all of the wireing is good, includind the grounds.

As far as updating your signature, you need to go back to the forum page and look for a window that takes you back to your personal info site, then update.

 

If it's just low output worrying you, throw a set of brushes in it, and polish the commutator.

First, make sure it isn't the fanbelt being loose and slipping. And what Uncamonkey said.

 

I've done all the tests Generator will not put out more than 6 volts. Only reason I was going to send it in for rebuild was I can't find parts. None of the Parts stores by were I live can look up anything, if it's not on a computer than they can't look it up. I found one place that does rebuilds near were i'm at and they said about 300 for a rebuild. Does anyone have the part numbers for the bearings, bushings, springs, and brushes for a autolite generator?

Jon

 

Get the numbers off of the plate that is rivited to the frame of the generator.
I'll try to get by the closest shop tomorrow to see if they have any info on it.

 

$300 bucks is ridiculous.
Last time I had a full rebuild it was an ancient electric motor shop, down behind the railroad sheds. You gotta find the old-timers.

Failing that, Hemmings Motor News has ads for experts on anything you can imagine restoring, and you'd certainly find someone there, But at what cost I don't know.

 

Where are you located? I've had one from my '57 up in my shed for the last 10+ years, it could be yours for $50!

When I was in high school there was an alternator shop that did starter motor and alternator/generator rebuilds. It was somewhere in Northern Massachusetts, maybe tyngsboro or Chelmsford? You could try a google search if you're set on rebuilding.

 

My service manual say's the generator should put out 7-8 volts. I have checked generator output at different rpms and still no more than 6 volts. I pulled the generator yesterday had it bench tested only 6 volts there to. All my wiring for generator to voltage regulator etc reads little resistance in wires. I found that Rockauto has bearings, bushings, and brushes for sale ordered today. I'm going try rebuilding it this weekend. I looked at Walcks too, but me being on the west coast means my turn around is 2-3 weeks. I also think that the "old timers" are not around in my area. I only found one place that rebuilds generators around. Seems that like other things, somethings are becoming a lost art. Thanks for all the advice I will update after this weekend.

Jon

 

I also found this link for generator rebuilding:http://www.1944gpw.com/c-93-G503_WWII_Jeep_6_volt_Autolite_Generator_Rebuild_Restore.aspx. Looks like good imformation.

 

Another option would be Powermaster's Powergen-an alternator in a generator shell. I believe Garage Gnome put one on one of his flatties. However, they run $400 +

 

Why swap when a generator works well? At least mine has, for 56 years so far...