New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-25
Neglect of the
Generator Ston,
Electric Suppl,
Expert Tells How aC.y,
Dynamo Chould B.
Cared For
By William n. Stewart I,

u
President Of The Stewart Au,omoeil. "a.
DO not neglect the electric genera.
II is the only source OF currep, !.
ignition starting and lighting -
when it fails to function properly ).
start trouble all aD?g the line. nj
efficiency Of the battery depends "a.
the generator output. The ay..,.
driver is helpless in case the gene,,.'i
fails. but it is important to be ~
to tell when it is not working corr.,s.
so that one may have il attenSss !.
by a competent repair man.
The first care of every mechsnisr
fabrication. A place to oil the besri,.
will be found at each end of the ava
ture. II the oil hole is closed Sv I.
steel ball held in place by spring n
dust should be wiped away before n
oil can is applied, otherwise the ..
will be carried into the bearings, +,
a light oil and inject a drop or ~
every few days.
The next thing is TO learn the in,
cations of correct action. The ammg.
will measure the output Of electriri,.
Run the motor az varying speeds -.
note if the ammeter indicates cha,e
and il the number OF smperes increa,.
with the speed of the engine n.
should occur up to a certain point W.
the regulator will function.
Occasionally listen closely TO Il
generator to note if the brushes ),
squeaking. There is enough grapt F,
in the composition Of the brushs, ,
lubricate them, but occasionally a brS
will squeak in spite of il. II this occu,.
a very little vaseline or 3-in.l !,
should be put on the commuus.
Place. same on finger and rub il 4
length of the commutator.
If brushes show sparks while g,s
ator is revolving or the ammeter ns,s
trembles unsteadily, then the bru,.,
do not fit properly or the commute,
is gummed with oil and dirt. On ~,
generators il is easy to reach \
brushes, but on others IL is extrer
difficult, sometimes requiring renes
of the apparatus. Yet the commute
must be cleaned or the brushes rehrs,
as the case may be. By raising =
brushes on some types or b. remoYr
them on others this may be aeeo-
plished. Clean the commutator W.
a cloth dipped in gasolene. II bru..,
are removed be sure they are replss,
the same side up, as they will no,
properly if reversed.
The job Of reftting brushes wos
best be left to an expert. The u,s
method is 20 place fine sandpsp,
around the commutator and 60 reyoli
it with the brushes resting on the ssr,
paper. This wears them 10 the prop,
curvature and insures a good 1T.
In case the ammeter shows no chan
no matter how rapidly the engine ruu
the trouble may be in q number
places, and il is best to have the seri
station attend TO il. Troubles in Il
generator. loose wires, faulty smms,S
cut out or regulator troubles all the
may occur, and only skilled workml
familiar with the system should
employed 10 trace the defect.
Locate a good service station il 4
ammeter shows no charge, or too gre
a charge, or possibly discharge wh,
the engine runs az fifteen to twel
miles per hour. The difficulty may
simple one, requiring only tog'
TO adjust. or it may require lor
search and the return of the generate
TO the factory for repairs.