You probably already know about this one already but anyway...
The squealing noise might indicate that it isn't polarized properly.
Last year I had a near new generator start making nasty noises - sort of a
squealing but realy more of a buzzing noise. I thought I had polarized it
properly but I guess not. When I took it back to the generator exchange place
the guy just repolarized it in the car and the noise stopped. I forget the
exact procedure - something like momentarily connecting a lead from the battery
terminal to the field connection on the generator.
I still don't understand exactly where the noise came from - I guess the
correct polarity keeps the windings from expanding outward...anyone care to
fill me in.
Mark Sinclair
------------------------------
Date: 18 Aug 1997 15:55:15 -0700
From: "Vincenti, Ross" <Ross.Vincenti@transamerica.com>
Subject: Squealing Generator
Greetings, Scions........
I noticed this weekend a squealing noise from under the bonnet of my Mk I
Spitfire and determined that my freshly rebuilt generator with less than
1,000 miles on it is getting noisy. I checked the pulley and there is no
noticeable run out or free play, belt tension seems to be fine, but there
is definitely a continuous moderately loud squeal from the unit. Is it
possible that it has a bad internal bearing? Having simply shipped my old
unit as an exchange, I never bothered to open it up and I don't know if
there is a way to easily check the internal bearings.
I suppose I could simply pull down my Haynes, Bentley and Autopress manuals
tonight and review them, but heck, it's more fun banging out an e-mail to
y'all for some good old fashioned jawboning, isn't it? Hey, if we're
lucky, maybe this will start a lengthy heated thread on the merits of white
grease versus axle grease for lubricating generator bearings, just like the
last thread on electric cooling fans (aw, c'mon now, lighten up, I'm just
kidding.)
TIA,
Ross D. Vincenti
Asst. General Counsel/Asst. Sec'ty.
Transamerica Home Loan - Legal Dept.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 742-4756 phone
(213) 741-7231 or 741-6945 fax
ross.vincenti@transamerica.com
64 Spitfire 4
64 Porsche 356C Coupe
|