Generator brush life?

[Gary0747]

I was looking for experience data on how long the brushes last on our old Delco 50 amp generators?  Do they typically last longer or shorter than alternator brushes?

[MooneyMitch]

I have no specific data.  Possibly others will chime in with that.

My experience...... I generally replace brushes approximately 200 hours as preventative maintenance.

My experience..... they are a PIA to replace!!

[carusoam]

They are gigantically long...

Don’t cost very much....

I may have changed them out out once every five years for my M20C...

Best regards,

-a-

[jwarren2]

12 hours ago, carusoam said:

They are gigantically long...

Don’t cost very much....

I may have changed them out out once every five years for my M20C...

Best regards,

-a-

Which helps them last a long time and many hours as compared to the small ones found in alternators. However, the slip rings found in alternators don't have the groves in them that are found in the commutator of the generator which also gives the alternator brush a great wear ability. Make sense???

[EricJ]

There's supposed to be a diagonal line across the brush which lets you easily visually determine when it has reached 1/2 wear, which is supposed to be taken as the indication for replacement.   I don't know what's up in typical practice, though.

[Gary0747]

I would think things like charging amp load over time and quality of the carbon in the brush will impact the overall life of the brush.  The brushes are cheap but hard  to change especially the top one on my F.   It requires either dropping the generator or removing a baffle.  

[Raptor05121]

On 6/17/2020 at 7:33 PM, MooneyMitch said:

 

My experience...... I generally replace brushes approximately 200 hours as preventative maintenance.

 

200 hours??????

I have 650TTSN on my PlanePower and they were barely down to half. PP service manual calls for preventative changing every 1,000hrs, and I think that's with them wanting to sell brushes...

[MooneyMitch]

1 hour ago, Raptor05121 said:

200 hours??????

I have 650TTSN on my PlanePower and they were barely down to half. PP service manual calls for preventative changing every 1,000hrs, and I think that's with them wanting to sell brushes...

That’s terrific!

 I believe the gentleman was referring to his vintage Delco generator.   My guess is the unit you have is a different technology...... maybe providing more longevity.