Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club
July 09, 2025, 04:03:37 AM *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Ultimate Seats Link VRCC Store
Homepage : Photostash : JustPics : Shoptalk : Old Tech Archive : Classifieds : Contact Staff
News: If you're new to this message board, read THIS!
 
Inzane 17
Pages: [1]   Go Down
Send this topic Print
Author Topic: alternator brushes  (Read 1580 times)
The emperor has no clothes
Member
*****
Posts: 29945


« on: January 05, 2016, 05:46:15 PM »


I had an alt. go out a couple years ago. just now took it apart to examine it. Obviously these brushes need replacing, but does it hurt or ruin the alt. if it was run this way for a 100 miles or so ? Or is all i need to do is put brushes in ?
Logged
Chrisj CMA
Member
*****
Posts: 14776


Crestview (Panhandle) Florida


« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2016, 05:55:02 PM »

I would just put new brushes in and see what happens
Logged
The emperor has no clothes
Member
*****
Posts: 29945


« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2016, 06:00:52 PM »

I would just put new brushes in and see what happens
Thats probably what i will do. But they are such a pain to get in and out.
Logged
gordonv
Member
*****
Posts: 5762


VRCC # 31419

Richmond BC


« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2016, 07:37:25 PM »

Your choice. $6 brushes, or $100 alternator?

Should have had no adverse affect running it for 100 miles.

« Last Edit: January 05, 2016, 07:56:39 PM by gordonv » Logged

1999 Black with custom paint IS

sandy
Member
*****
Posts: 5388


Mesa, AZ.


« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2016, 08:32:03 PM »

The OEM manual has a test procedure for testing the armature. Do that before spending time on the "see what happens" idea. It'll take the guess work out of the job.
Logged

The emperor has no clothes
Member
*****
Posts: 29945


« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2016, 03:10:11 AM »

The OEM manual has a test procedure for testing the armature. Do that before spending time on the "see what happens" idea. It'll take the guess work out of the job.
Thanks, I'll check it out.
Logged
Chrisj CMA
Member
*****
Posts: 14776


Crestview (Panhandle) Florida


« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2016, 04:55:43 AM »

Brushes are easy if you have a soldering gun
Logged
lee
Member
*****
Posts: 263


Northeast Tennessee


« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2016, 05:32:40 AM »

Always check the bearings when replacing the brushes.
Logged

Time is not what is taken but what remains.
C. Drewry
The emperor has no clothes
Member
*****
Posts: 29945


« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2016, 10:36:47 AM »

Brushes are easy if you have a soldering gun
Yeah I worded that bad. I meant putting the alt. back in the bike is a pain.
Logged
The emperor has no clothes
Member
*****
Posts: 29945


« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2016, 10:39:38 AM »

Always check the bearings when replacing the brushes.
I'm thinking if it checks out I will just replace the bearings also. The alt. has 88k on it.
Logged
Gryphon Rider
Member
*****
Posts: 5227


2000 Tourer

Calgary, Alberta


« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2016, 11:40:48 AM »

Is there some hazard of spinning an alternator with worn-out brushes that I am unaware of?  I am assuming that what you mean is that the alternator quit, but you found some way to keep the bike running for the 100 miles to home or the repair shop, such as swapping batteries with another bike, or charging the battery and pulling the fuse for the headlight so the main draw on the battery was the ignition system.

I can't imagine over-worn brushes damaging the rings they ride on.
Logged
The emperor has no clothes
Member
*****
Posts: 29945


« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2016, 01:02:33 PM »

Is there some hazard of spinning an alternator with worn-out brushes that I am unaware of?  I am assuming that what you mean is that the alternator quit, but you found some way to keep the bike running for the 100 miles to home or the repair shop, such as swapping batteries with another bike, or charging the battery and pulling the fuse for the headlight so the main draw on the battery was the ignition system.

I can't imagine over-worn brushes damaging the rings they ride on.
Yes that is it. I'm just not real versed on alternators and I didn't want to redo it and then find that it was no good. Thanks  cooldude
Logged
Ricky-D
Member
*****
Posts: 5031


South Carolina midlands


« Reply #12 on: January 07, 2016, 07:58:53 AM »

Those brushes pictured actually don't look that bad to me. Yes they are worn, but not to the point where there

would be damage occurring to the armature. There is still a lot of miles left in those brushes. Naturally, now that

they are out, it would be foolish to not replace them with new brushes. Any rebuild shop will have these brushes

and they are very inexpensive. There is nothing special regarding these brushes, and they are a very commonly

used item.

***
Logged

2000_Valkyrie_Interstate
Gryphon Rider
Member
*****
Posts: 5227


2000 Tourer

Calgary, Alberta


« Reply #13 on: January 07, 2016, 08:14:20 AM »

A common cause of Valkyrie alternator failure is a break in a wire that leads to a coil on the alternator's rotor.  Following the testing procedure in the shop manual can confirm this.  The rotor is available as a separate part from Honda, and when I replaced mine many years ago it was a fair bit less expensive than replacing the whole alternator.  Of course you can take it to a reputable rewind shop to see if they can repair it for less.
Logged
John Schmidt
Member
*****
Posts: 15223


a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike

De Pere, WI (Green Bay)


« Reply #14 on: January 07, 2016, 08:16:34 AM »

Judging from the picture, it appears the brush on the left may have been stuck and not making contact....or good contact.  It doesn't look to be as worn as the one on the right and may have been your only problem. Dust from worn brushes causing them to stick isn't a new problem. But since you have them out, I'd still go through the unit completely.
Logged

The emperor has no clothes
Member
*****
Posts: 29945


« Reply #15 on: January 07, 2016, 11:40:13 AM »

Judging from the picture, it appears the brush on the left may have been stuck and not making contact....or good contact.  It doesn't look to be as worn as the one on the right and may have been your only problem. Dust from worn brushes causing them to stick isn't a new problem. But since you have them out, I'd still go through the unit completely.
Interesting ! I assumed they were as wore as they get. Shows how little I know about alts. This is the first one I've ever took apart. In the past I've always just got a new alt. When this alt quit it was extremely cold and snowing. Do you think the brush just got stuck and quit producing juice ?
Logged
gordonv
Member
*****
Posts: 5762


VRCC # 31419

Richmond BC


« Reply #16 on: January 07, 2016, 05:51:47 PM »

Do you think the brush just got stuck and quit producing juice ?

That is exactly what happened to mine. 63K miles, and they got stuck. Cleaned, and they are still working. I bought spares, but will do it sometime in the future, maybe even this year.
Logged

1999 Black with custom paint IS

Pages: [1]   Go Up
Send this topic Print
Jump to: