About this episode
In this podcast episode, we’re talking about alternator maintenance!
Here’s the alternator I removed from a Beechcraft Bonanza to inspect the drive coupling and the brushes… note the brush assembly in the lower right side of the photo:
The brushes had plenty of length left, but they needed a good cleaning due to carbon dust that had collected from normal brush wear. Check it out:
After a good cleaning, the brushes looked great and were ready to reinstall.
Another thing (and perhaps more important) I wanted to check on this alternator is the elastomer drive coupling:
There have been numerous cases where these drive couplings have come apart and caused serious engine damage and / or failure.
Since it had been nearly 500 hours since this alternator was removed and inspected, I wanted to verify the drive coupling’s condition.
I performed the following: (Reference Continental M-0 manual.)
Verified no slippage at 140 inch pounds.
Verified proper coupling attach nut torque.
Installed new cotter pin.
Cleaned off old gasket and installed alternator with new gasket.
If you have a belt driven alternator, it’s important to keep the belt tensioned properly and in good condition.
How about you?
Do you have
