Brush gobbler

[thomas_sorrentino]

Scott,

Just curious, did you see them do any of this work while the gen. set
was out? The reason I'm asking is I'm wondering if when you take the
end cap off the gen. does the rotor stay in place inside the stator
and are you sitting there looking at the shaft with the commutator
slip rings on it. I am certainly no expert on this (barely an
amatuer) but I was thinking and hoping the slip ring replacement
could be done with out removing the gen. set.
Can anybody tell me for sure how this is done?

Tom Sorrentino
1987 PT38
Bedford Hills, NY



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...>
wrote:
>
> No, I am pretty handy but this level of work is beyond my
capability
> right from the beginning...I have no way to get the Genset out of
the
> coach.
>
> I am a bad example for costs, because the shop that services my
coach
> is owned by a close friend...he gives me parts at cost and greatly
> reduced labor rates. That being said, it was 16 hours of labor and
> $136 (at cost) in parts. You should be able to estimate your cost
> based on your local hourly shop rates since the parts are
insignificant.
>
> This is the narrative from my shop invoice:
> Complaint: Generator not making electricity. Cause: Exciter ring
and
> brushes bad. Correction: Drained coolant and disconnected radiator
> hoses. Disconnected A/C wires and control box. Removed gen set
from
> coach. Removed engine from cradle. Dissassembled generator.
Removed
> armature from engine. Removed end bearing. Replaced exciter
ring.
> Installed new end bearing. Installed armature on engine.
Assembled
> generator. Put engine in cradle and installed in coach. Connected
> wires, fuel lines, and rad hoses. Filled cooling system and bled
air.
> Cranked engine, okay. 120v A/C from both lugs at no load. Put
load on
> generator and let run to check out, okay.
>
> Hope this helps
> Scott
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
> wrote:
> >
> > Scott, did you do this work yourself? If not, would you might
sharing
> > a rough dollar figure as to what I should expect when I start
calling
> > generator repair shops?
> >
> > -Ryan
> >
> > On Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 5:01 AM, Scott Forman <sforman@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I went for option three, as it had the lowest price and fewest
> > > potential headaches. Now it is basically a brand new "old
> > > technology" generator which should last another 20 years just
like
> > > the first one did.
> > >
> >
>

[Scott Forman]

I did not witness any of it, but my feeling is that this can't be
done without removing the genset.

Scott

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "thomas_sorrentino"
wrote:
>
> Scott,
>
> Just curious, did you see them do any of this work while the gen.
set
> was out? The reason I'm asking is I'm wondering if when you take
the
> end cap off the gen. does the rotor stay in place inside the stator
> and are you sitting there looking at the shaft with the commutator
> slip rings on it. I am certainly no expert on this (barely an
> amatuer) but I was thinking and hoping the slip ring replacement
> could be done with out removing the gen. set.
> Can anybody tell me for sure how this is done?
>
> Tom Sorrentino
> 1987 PT38
> Bedford Hills, NY
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@>
> wrote:
> >
> > No, I am pretty handy but this level of work is beyond my
> capability
> > right from the beginning...I have no way to get the Genset out of
> the
> > coach.
> >
> > I am a bad example for costs, because the shop that services my
> coach
> > is owned by a close friend...he gives me parts at cost and
greatly
> > reduced labor rates. That being said, it was 16 hours of labor
and
> > $136 (at cost) in parts. You should be able to estimate your
cost
> > based on your local hourly shop rates since the parts are
> insignificant.
> >
> > This is the narrative from my shop invoice:
> > Complaint: Generator not making electricity. Cause: Exciter ring
> and
> > brushes bad. Correction: Drained coolant and disconnected
radiator
> > hoses. Disconnected A/C wires and control box. Removed gen set
> from
> > coach. Removed engine from cradle. Dissassembled generator.
> Removed
> > armature from engine. Removed end bearing. Replaced exciter
> ring.
> > Installed new end bearing. Installed armature on engine.
> Assembled
> > generator. Put engine in cradle and installed in coach.
Connected
> > wires, fuel lines, and rad hoses. Filled cooling system and bled
> air.
> > Cranked engine, okay. 120v A/C from both lugs at no load. Put
> load on
> > generator and let run to check out, okay.
> >
> > Hope this helps
> > Scott
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Scott, did you do this work yourself? If not, would you might
> sharing
> > > a rough dollar figure as to what I should expect when I start
> calling
> > > generator repair shops?
> > >
> > > -Ryan
> > >
> > > On Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 5:01 AM, Scott Forman <sforman@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I went for option three, as it had the lowest price and fewest
> > > > potential headaches. Now it is basically a brand new "old
> > > > technology" generator which should last another 20 years just
> like
> > > > the first one did.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

[Ryan Wright]

Ralph Fullenwider says otherwise. I'm going to climb under the coach
some time this week and try to replace mine without removing the
genset. If it doesn't turn into a big messy fiasco, I'll document it
and try to take pictures.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

On Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 4:50 AM, Scott Forman <sforman@...> wrote:
> I did not witness any of it, but my feeling is that this can't be
> done without removing the genset.

[robert nloomas]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:
It's done very easy and a lot less work then removing the generator.
Bob Loomas PT 36 85
Harahan La.
>
> Ralph Fullenwider says otherwise. I'm going to climb under the coach
> some time this week and try to replace mine without removing the
> genset. If it doesn't turn into a big messy fiasco, I'll document it
> and try to take pictures.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
>
> On Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 4:50 AM, Scott Forman <sforman@...> wrote:
> > I did not witness any of it, but my feeling is that this can't be
> > done without removing the genset.
>

[thomas_sorrentino]

Ryan,

I need to do the same thing, so any tips you can pass on, would be
appreciated.

Tom Sorrentino
1987 PT38
Bedford Hills, NY




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:
>
> Ralph Fullenwider says otherwise. I'm going to climb under the coach
> some time this week and try to replace mine without removing the
> genset. If it doesn't turn into a big messy fiasco, I'll document it
> and try to take pictures.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
>
> On Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 4:50 AM, Scott Forman <sforman@...> wrote:
> > I did not witness any of it, but my feeling is that this can't be
> > done without removing the genset.
>

[Ryan Wright]

Update on this: I've begun tearing it apart and I have taken some
pictures. The parts have been ordered and should arrive next week.
I'll continue taking pictures and will provide a little write-up on
the procedure when I'm done.

-Ryan

On Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 6:36 PM, thomas_sorrentino
wrote:
> Ryan,
>
> I need to do the same thing, so any tips you can pass on, would be
> appreciated.
>
> Tom Sorrentino
> 1987 PT38
> Bedford Hills, NY

[thomas_sorrentino]

Ryan,

Any progress on this yet? Tips? Shortcuts? Does it seem like it can
be done without removing the generator? I'm getting ready to do mine
soon.

Tom Sorrentino
1987 PT38
Bedford Hills, NY


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:
>
> Update on this: I've begun tearing it apart and I have taken some
> pictures. The parts have been ordered and should arrive next week.
> I'll continue taking pictures and will provide a little write-up on
> the procedure when I'm done.
>
> -Ryan
>
> On Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 6:36 PM, thomas_sorrentino
> wrote:
> > Ryan,
> >
> > I need to do the same thing, so any tips you can pass on, would be
> > appreciated.
> >
> > Tom Sorrentino
> > 1987 PT38
> > Bedford Hills, NY
>

[Ryan Wright]

Hi Tom,

My parts just arrived Friday night. I spent several hours under the
coach this morning and am heading back down there in a little bit.
Yes, this can absolutely be done without removing the generator. It's
not all that difficult, really. I'll have pictures and such ready here
in another week or two. Should have mine finished up by tomorrow if I
don't run into any problems.

-Ryan

On Fri, Jun 13, 2008 at 8:10 PM, thomas_sorrentino
wrote:
> Ryan,
>
> Any progress on this yet? Tips? Shortcuts? Does it seem like it can
> be done without removing the generator? I'm getting ready to do mine
> soon.
>
> Tom Sorrentino
> 1987 PT38
> Bedford Hills, NY

[Ryan Wright]

Update: Looks like they sent me the wrong slip rings. My shaft & slip
rings have a bunch of tiny splines that hold it in place. The slip
ring set they shipped me has a large key-notch in it. Bummer - I'll
have to call them Monday morning and get this straightened out.

So far, though, folks, this looks to be a relatively easy repair
without taking the generator out. You just run the generator all the
way out on it's slide, then climb under there. I'm actually able to
sit up once I'm in there, so my head & upper body is in the cavity
where the generator sits when closed. Much more comfortable to work in
a sitting position vs. laying on my back. Take the back "vent" thing
off, remove the brushes, relays (I think that's what those two little
silver things are), voltage regulator and all other wires. Mark them
and/or take pictures so you know what goes where (I'll provide my own
pictures and a better write-up when I'm done). Remove all of the bolts
holding the rear "cap" onto the generator and remove that cap.

Now you have access. De-solder the two wires on the old slip rings and
carefully move them out of the way. Use a gear puller to remove the
bearing and slip rings. This is where I'm at. Then, just re-assemble
with new parts. No need to pull the generator out of the coach and
deal with fuel and coolant lines, oil, hydraulic lines and all that
entails.

Time spent: Probably 4 hours worth of actual work for me thus far,
much of it spent trying to get that darn cap off the back of the
generator. Finally took a long stick and tapped it out from the front
(thanks Ralph for the advice). Now that I know what I'm doing, I think
I could get to this point in half the time. In fact, with all of the
(right!) parts on hand, I'm guessing I could do the entire job in 4 to
6 hours start to finish next time. That assumes there are no gotchas
when I start putting it back together, but I can't see any from here.

If you've ever pulled the transmission out of a car, just dig in and
do this. This job is a piece of cake by comparison. Well worth doing
yourself - I've got a measly $100 into the parts. Very happy I didn't
spring for the 4 hour round trip drive and the $1600+ in labor to get
it done by the pros.

This is a simplistic explanation but it's a good overview for those of
you itching to tackle this. As I said, I'll have lots of pictures and
a more detailed write-up of the procedure available on my web site
once I'm done. I'll post a link at that time.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92, Yanmar powered Kohler 12.5kw genset


On Sat, Jun 14, 2008 at 2:30 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:
> Hi Tom,
>
> My parts just arrived Friday night. I spent several hours under the
> coach this morning and am heading back down there in a little bit.
> Yes, this can absolutely be done without removing the generator. It's
> not all that difficult, really. I'll have pictures and such ready here
> in another week or two. Should have mine finished up by tomorrow if I
> don't run into any problems.
>
> -Ryan
>
> On Fri, Jun 13, 2008 at 8:10 PM, thomas_sorrentino
> wrote:
>> Ryan,
>>
>> Any progress on this yet? Tips? Shortcuts? Does it seem like it can
>> be done without removing the generator? I'm getting ready to do mine
>> soon.
>>
>> Tom Sorrentino
>> 1987 PT38
>> Bedford Hills, NY
>

[thomas_sorrentino]

Ryan,

Thanks for the update. Excellent information. I'm all geared up to do
this at Tom Warners rally next weekend. You've got me wondering about
having the correct slip rings though. The new one I have sounds just
like the one they had sent you (has a large key notch). On the box
it's part number 359447, description ring collector. Is it possible
to post any photo's of what you got and what your suppose to have? My
private e-mail is tomsorrentino at hotmail dot com.
Also I'm really curious to see if your old slip ring is worn like
mine?
Thanks again.

Tom Sorrentino
1987 PT38
Bedford Hills, NY


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:
>
> Update: Looks like they sent me the wrong slip rings. My shaft &
slip
> rings have a bunch of tiny splines that hold it in place. The slip
> ring set they shipped me has a large key-notch in it. Bummer - I'll
> have to call them Monday morning and get this straightened out.
>
> So far, though, folks, this looks to be a relatively easy repair
> without taking the generator out. You just run the generator all the
> way out on it's slide, then climb under there. I'm actually able to
> sit up once I'm in there, so my head & upper body is in the cavity
> where the generator sits when closed. Much more comfortable to work
in
> a sitting position vs. laying on my back. Take the back "vent" thing
> off, remove the brushes, relays (I think that's what those two
little
> silver things are), voltage regulator and all other wires. Mark them
> and/or take pictures so you know what goes where (I'll provide my
own
> pictures and a better write-up when I'm done). Remove all of the
bolts
> holding the rear "cap" onto the generator and remove that cap.
>
> Now you have access. De-solder the two wires on the old slip rings
and
> carefully move them out of the way. Use a gear puller to remove the
> bearing and slip rings. This is where I'm at. Then, just re-assemble
> with new parts. No need to pull the generator out of the coach and
> deal with fuel and coolant lines, oil, hydraulic lines and all that
> entails.
>
> Time spent: Probably 4 hours worth of actual work for me thus far,
> much of it spent trying to get that darn cap off the back of the
> generator. Finally took a long stick and tapped it out from the
front
> (thanks Ralph for the advice). Now that I know what I'm doing, I
think
> I could get to this point in half the time. In fact, with all of the
> (right!) parts on hand, I'm guessing I could do the entire job in 4
to
> 6 hours start to finish next time. That assumes there are no gotchas
> when I start putting it back together, but I can't see any from
here.
>
> If you've ever pulled the transmission out of a car, just dig in and
> do this. This job is a piece of cake by comparison. Well worth doing
> yourself - I've got a measly $100 into the parts. Very happy I
didn't
> spring for the 4 hour round trip drive and the $1600+ in labor to
get
> it done by the pros.
>
> This is a simplistic explanation but it's a good overview for those
of
> you itching to tackle this. As I said, I'll have lots of pictures
and
> a more detailed write-up of the procedure available on my web site
> once I'm done. I'll post a link at that time.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92, Yanmar powered Kohler 12.5kw genset
>
>
> On Sat, Jun 14, 2008 at 2:30 PM, Ryan Wright
wrote:
> > Hi Tom,
> >
> > My parts just arrived Friday night. I spent several hours under
the
> > coach this morning and am heading back down there in a little bit.
> > Yes, this can absolutely be done without removing the generator.
It's
> > not all that difficult, really. I'll have pictures and such ready
here
> > in another week or two. Should have mine finished up by tomorrow
if I
> > don't run into any problems.
> >
> > -Ryan
> >
> > On Fri, Jun 13, 2008 at 8:10 PM, thomas_sorrentino
> > wrote:
> >> Ryan,
> >>
> >> Any progress on this yet? Tips? Shortcuts? Does it seem like it
can
> >> be done without removing the generator? I'm getting ready to do
mine
> >> soon.
> >>
> >> Tom Sorrentino
> >> 1987 PT38
> >> Bedford Hills, NY
> >
>