[TR] TR4 Generator Electrical Arcing

[Cosmo Kramer]

Paul wrote:
Has anyone had an experience with the generator (sorry, dynamo..)
on a TR4, where electrical arcing was visible at the rear of the unit?  I
wouldn't have noticed this ordinarily, but I happened to have the bonnet up
last night to rev the engine and found that the higher the revs, the more
arcing I see inside the back of the generator.  What also helped is that I had
turned most of the lights off in the garage to keep the bugs from swarming in.
Besides a total failure of the charging system, my biggest fear is that if for
some reason I had a fuel leak, the arc would not be a good thing.

Is this a
sign of worn brushes?  I've always considered converting to an alternator, but
don't have the time (or money) right now and the car has to be ready for a
trip in 2 weeks.  Brushes are cheap and should be easy to replace.  I just
don't want to waste the time that it will take to order them if it's something
more serious.
Paul
----------------------
Hi List & Paul!
Yes, that would be
the first thing that I would look at. You are correct in the point that
brushes are a cheaper way to go, vs an Alt. conversion. I do agree that it
will take time & money, but so will the alt. conversing. My suggestion is to
plan some time out of your busy life & work on the TRIUMPH BEFORE you leave
for your trip, or don't take the TRIUMPH or may be the trip & use that time &
money for fixing the TRIUMPH? That's where I'm at for the Mighty, at the end
of April.  It's no fun having to take the time out on the side of the road to
fix anything on any car when you could be doing something else on the trip
(don't ask me how I know). Like it was stated in a commercial back in time,
"You can pay me now or you can pay me later."
Time is money.
 
BTW- This most
likely has been happening for quite some time & you just happened to noticed
it now. It just might me needing a good cleaning or your routine maintenance.
BUT! It WILL take time! 
-Cosmo Kramer