Valeo Alternator on MD 2030

Mrnotming

Mrnotming

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Predictably, charging stopped, suspected brushes, took apart and found to be short.
cleaning slip rings helped.
Brushes seem a bit embedded in goo,in holder.
Need advice as to what to order, ie is the brush holder a unit or do I have to unsolder etc to fit new>
Advice appreciated from Vic S and other knowledable heads !!
Bearings seem fine.I'm a bit in the boonies as regards a good auto-electician, but will be back in Rhone area soon and hope for a cure!
I have disconnected all the Sterling alternator booster stuff until I am sorted.
I have charging again but it must be on a wing and a prayer, with the remanents of the brushes just barely making contact.
Long weekend in France so nobody is the least bit interested in doing any serious work!
Thanks if you can help re the brush holder assy?
 
paulclan said:
Predictably, charging stopped, suspected brushes, took apart and found to be short.
cleaning slip rings helped.
Brushes seem a bit embedded in goo,in holder.
Need advice as to what to order, ie is the brush holder a unit or do I have to unsolder etc to fit new>
Advice appreciated from Vic S and other knowledable heads !!
Bearings seem fine.I'm a bit in the boonies as regards a good auto-electician, but will be back in Rhone area soon and hope for a cure!
I have disconnected all the Sterling alternator booster stuff until I am sorted.
I have charging again but it must be on a wing and a prayer, with the remanents of the brushes just barely making contact.
Long weekend in France so nobody is the least bit interested in doing any serious work!
Thanks if you can help re the brush holder assy?
Click to expand...

When I last wanted new alternator brushes the local auto electrician supplied me with a pair of carbon brushes with braided copper tails.

A bit of a fiddle to solder into the holders and difficult to judge just how much slack to leave.

is this relevant http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/358309-DIY-5-Alternator-Fix-replacing-brushes-(Valeo)
 
Valeo brush replaacement MD2030

Wow, that thread is very informative,

Thanks Vic, I think my brush holder plastic housing is a bit different, but going for the brushes alone seems a good option,
Thanks again for the help.
Getting a charge for 35NM yesterday, so hopefully it will last till I get to Martigues, where there are good Auto Parts places at Lavera Industrial Zone.
I'll post back details of the fix when I have it done, hopefullly.
Good boating and sailing to all!
 
Valeo brush replacement MD2030

Picked up brushes from boatyard today, good service from previously posted link.
Todays sail from CASSIS to Martigues was prety awful, if quick in a SE 5 seastate jumpy and confused.Glad to be in the canal Caronte overnight as we were tired.Entered Carro near Cap Couronne, but was deemed not suitable for a night's rest.
Disturbed weather for the time of year.
Soldering iron tomorrow to fit the brushes to the alternator!
Good sailing and boating to all!
 
Valeo brush replacement MD2030

All done and the helpful video on the site I linked earlier made me aware of the trick of grinding away the surplus solder before applying heat to release the brushes!
I almost lost one of the springs as it zoomed away, but boats being what they are and mosquito nets on windows, it did turn up, thankfully.NOTE that new springs were not supplied, but three brushes were in the envelope, sound thinking on suppliers part!So with slips rings in clean unworn condition and bearings quiet, it should be good for a good few hours running in the future!
I'm on a Dongle for interweb, and hanging the iPhone where the pictures are out of a netbook is tricky so photos might possibly follow.Finally the humble wooden clothes pin or peg was found invaluable as a third hand, SWMBO having feigned sleep during the takover of the boat by the crazed Capitan Electrician!
Thanks again to all incl Vic S who gave me valuable pointers to a task whilst not terribly dificult, only occurs at 13 year intervals if you keep the same boat!
 
http://www.ybw.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=18894&stc=1&d=1339263214

This method regulates the amount of brush that protrudes, before it is soldered for length.
The reason for grinding off the excess solder rather than just melting it is that it (the solder being removed)can go down the spring in the holder and cause problems.
Found the solder sucker tool after I had finished, down the end of the Electrical toolbag!
 
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