Took the Three Wheeler out for a little airing Saturday eve. Motoring along a
few miles from home, wonderful cool evening, lovely exhaust note, usual
horrible grinding from the as yet unrepaired throw out bearing. Suddenly
hesitation from the engine and a quick whiff of an unlovely odor. URK,
something's given way, tried to make a U turn to see if I can't get home
before death overcomes it. Dies on the side of the road. Starter won't turn
over engine. Thought something's finally come apart inside that noisy
bellhousing and jammed things up good, but no the smell's burning rubber, not
burning clutch plate. Pop the hood , the generator's hot as a pistol and
frozen in place. No tools except for one screwdriver, just a few miles from
home you see, why bother.
Couldn't budge the belt. Sat for 30 minutes with neighbors. sheriff, etc.
driving by admiring the three wheeler with the hood up and the perplexed gent
standing by.
Finally a damsel notes the gent in distress and stops to offer aid. SHE had a
nice little tool kit of sockets, which wouldn't fit past the overlong studs
on the generator attaching bolts. Finally in desperation I asked if she had a
knife. Yes at my barn nearby, I use it to cut the string off haybales she
says. Off she went, brought back a rather wicked looking 10 inch kitchen
slicer. I cut off the fan belt, hit the starter and it fired right up. Got
home without further mishap.
Upon disassembly, found the field coils had tangled themselves with the
armature when the armature bearing locating bracket came adrift at the front
of the unit. Someone had pop riveted the bracket in place some time in the
past. Dropped the generator off at my local Lucas dealer, H&C Truck Electric.
Now I'm searching for field coils. Lucas part number 220308 for Dynamo C35MV
AD11. May need the armature also, 220162. If anyone knows a source I'd like
to know. My friend Roar in Norway is looking.
I'll still be going off for a drive tonight in the three wheeler. Surgery in
the AM and want something else to think about during the event other than what
they're sticking in me! Haven't been using the charging circuit anyway. Put
the charger on the battery for an hour or so. Works OK for daytime drives.
Bob Paul
Corrales NM
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