Delco Remy Generator

[Henry and Debbie McFarland]

The generator on my C-85 is dead (according to a local shop). Unfortunately,
our shop used to be helpful in pointing out the problem, but has now
succumbed to liability fears. We don't know if it's the brushes or the
armature. We'll try replacing the brushes first.

Does any one know a good place for ordering replacement parts or a rebuilt
replacement? Any helpful tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

Deb

--
1946 Luscombe 8A (His)
1948 Luscombe 8E (Hers)
1954 Cessna 195B, restoring (Ours)
Jasper, Ga. (JZP)

[john]

On Sat, 29 Nov 2003 15:18:49 GMT, "Henry and Debbie McFarland"
> wrote:

>The generator on my C-85 is dead (according to a local shop). Unfortunately,
>our shop used to be helpful in pointing out the problem, but has now
>succumbed to liability fears. We don't know if it's the brushes or the
>armature. We'll try replacing the brushes first.

first, verify that the brushes are in good spring contact
w/commutater; that all commutater segments are in place & no burnt
segments. Next, remove belt. disconnect field wire(s) & connect to gen
housing. Apply 6v or 12v (as appropriate for gen) to the output
(armature) lead or connection. If generator motors in same direction
as it normally operates, then it will generate (& you have
successfully restored residual magnetism to armature).

To isolate (& elimanate the voltage reg), reinstall belt, hook up
armature (big lead to regulator) normally but leave field(s) grounded
to generator (and engine and airframe). Fire up & put voltmeter across
battery. As you speed up RPM you should 7-8+ volts (6v sys); 14.5 or
better (12v sys).

If this passes test then we will talk about adjusting regulator after
you reinstall field(s) normally.

good luck & watch out for the prop!!

>
>Does any one know a good place for ordering replacement parts or a rebuilt
>replacement? Any helpful tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
>
>Deb

[James Lloyd]

You might want to put it back on and then take the band off of the back
of it that has the air tube on it.Then being careful,take some fine
emory cloth and with the eng. running,and the cloth wrapped around a
small popsicle stick,you can clean and polish the arm.Sometimes you get
a buildup from the brushes on it.If it works,you will get power at about
1100rpms or so.Jim

[Ron Wanttaja]

A few years back, I posted several stories about getting the generator of
my own C-85 fixed. They're collected at:

http://www.wanttaja.com/flybaby/spark.htm

Ron Wanttaja

[Drew Dalgleish]

Many tractors and dune buggys use similar generators. You might be a
little less candit with the next rebuilder you talk to.

[Brian Cox]

"Henry and Debbie McFarland" > wrote in message .net>...
> The generator on my C-85 is dead (according to a local shop). Unfortunately,
> our shop used to be helpful in pointing out the problem, but has now
> succumbed to liability fears. We don't know if it's the brushes or the
> armature. We'll try replacing the brushes first.
>
> Does any one know a good place for ordering replacement parts or a rebuilt
> replacement? Any helpful tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Deb

Hi,
I had both Delco-Remy generators overhauled at Aero Tech of
Louisville. Mine were 24 volt, 50 amp units. I also purchased solid
state regulators to replace my old breaker contact style ones.
They've been working great since I did this a year and a half ago.
Their website is www.aerotechlou.com. Even if yours is not listed,
you might contact them. Their work is first rate and they are very
helpful over the phone with troubleshooting. Just a happy customer.

Brian Cox

[Jim Weir]

Well, since the generators on the early Continentals were identical except for
the geared end to the Chevy and Buick generators of the early 1940s, and since
I'm sure that C-85 is powering an airboat, I'd take it to a shop that
specializes in automotive generator overhauls.

We've got one here in town (Motor Electric) that does all my "airboat" work.
They also have sources for modern solid state regulators for those old
doorstops.

Jim



(Brian Cox)
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

->"Henry and Debbie McFarland" > wrote in message
.net>...
->> The generator on my C-85 is dead
Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

[O-ring Seals]

On 1 Dec 2003 08:14:54 -0800, (Brian Cox) wrote:


>Hi,
>I had both Delco-Remy generators overhauled at Aero Tech of
>Louisville. Mine were 24 volt, 50 amp units. I also purchased solid
>state regulators to replace my old breaker contact style ones.
>They've been working great since I did this a year and a half ago.
>Their website is www.aerotechlou.com. Even if yours is not listed,
>you might contact them. Their work is first rate and they are very
>helpful over the phone with troubleshooting. Just a happy customer.
>
>Brian Cox


Brian,

That information will be helpful to me. I had my starters overhauled
a couple years ago by AreoElectric, but they are no longer in business
or at least not doing that any longer. I want to send my generators
out soon. They are also Delco 24 volt / 50A units. I have installed
Zeftronics solid state generator controllers with a built in
paralleling circuit. They are very smooth and work great. What type
of twin are you flying? Mine is a 310G.

Thanks,

O-ring Seals

[Henry and Debbie McFarland]

Never told him it was for an airplane. Told him it was for our airboat. He
didn't buy it this time ;-). We have gotten some great info from a
particular antique John Deere tractor website. It would seem that many of
the parts on a Luscombe come from tractors. If we could only find a supplier
for our tired oleo springs, life would be fine.

Deb

--
1946 Luscombe 8A (His)
1948 Luscombe 8E (Hers)
1954 Cessna 195B, restoring (Ours)
Jasper, Ga. (JZP)

"Drew Dalgleish" > wrote in message
...
> Many tractors and dune buggys use similar generators. You might be a
> little less candit with the next rebuilder you talk to.

[Henry and Debbie McFarland]

"> Hi,
> I had both Delco-Remy generators overhauled at Aero Tech of
> Louisville. Mine were 24 volt, 50 amp units. I also purchased solid
> state regulators to replace my old breaker contact style ones.
> They've been working great since I did this a year and a half ago.
> Their website is www.aerotechlou.com. Even if yours is not listed,
> you might contact them. Their work is first rate and they are very
> helpful over the phone with troubleshooting. Just a happy customer.
>
> Brian Cox

Thanks, Brian. We've heard nothing but good about them.

Deb

--
1946 Luscombe 8A (His)
1948 Luscombe 8E (Hers)
1954 Cessna 195B, restoring (Ours)
Jasper, Ga. (JZP)

[Henry and Debbie McFarland]

Yours was the first webpage we found when searching for info. It has been
printed and filed. Thanks for sharing.

Deb

--
1946 Luscombe 8A (His)
1948 Luscombe 8E (Hers)
1954 Cessna 195B, restoring (Ours)
Jasper, Ga. (JZP)
"Ron Wanttaja" > wrote in message
...
> A few years back, I posted several stories about getting the generator of
> my own C-85 fixed. They're collected at:
>
> http://www.wanttaja.com/flybaby/spark.htm
>
> Ron Wanttaja

[Dan Thomas]

(Drew Dalgleish) wrote in message >...
> Many tractors and dune buggys use similar generators. You might be a
> little less candit with the next rebuilder you talk to.


But it's a gear-driven thing, if it's on a small Continental, and
they'll start asking questions.

Dan

[Ron Wanttaja]

On Mon, 01 Dec 2003 23:02:59 GMT, "Henry and Debbie McFarland"
> wrote:

>Yours was the first webpage we found when searching for info. It has been
>printed and filed. Thanks for sharing.

Sounds like that Jackson I slipped Google did the trick. :-)

Glad to be of help....

Ron Wanttaja

[Brian Cox]

(O-ring Seals) wrote in message >...
> On 1 Dec 2003 08:14:54 -0800, (Brian Cox) wrote:
>
>
> >Hi,
> >I had both Delco-Remy generators overhauled at Aero Tech of
> >Louisville. Mine were 24 volt, 50 amp units. I also purchased solid
> >state regulators to replace my old breaker contact style ones.
> >They've been working great since I did this a year and a half ago.
> >Their website is www.aerotechlou.com. Even if yours is not listed,
> >you might contact them. Their work is first rate and they are very
> >helpful over the phone with troubleshooting. Just a happy customer.
> >
> >Brian Cox
>
>
> Brian,
>
> That information will be helpful to me. I had my starters overhauled
> a couple years ago by AreoElectric, but they are no longer in business
> or at least not doing that any longer. I want to send my generators
> out soon. They are also Delco 24 volt / 50A units. I have installed
> Zeftronics solid state generator controllers with a built in
> paralleling circuit. They are very smooth and work great. What type
> of twin are you flying? Mine is a 310G.
>
> Thanks,
>
> O-ring Seals

Hi,
I had it done on a C310K. I used the Zeftronics controllers
also. Replaced three old units that look like they're out of a
Studebaker with two new solid state units. I sent both generators to
Aero Tech of Louisville and they also set the regulators for each one
on their bench tester, so I have matched pairs. Real nice folks and
very reasonable. I think the generator overhauls were less than $200
per unit, and they've performed great since then.

Brian
N3827X