{"id":8301,"date":"2018-11-01T04:30:06","date_gmt":"2018-11-01T04:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/?p=8301"},"modified":"2023-01-25T12:29:35","modified_gmt":"2023-01-25T20:29:35","slug":"how-to-fix-a-dynamo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drivinglife.net\/how-to-fix-a-dynamo\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide on How to Fix a Dynamo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The dynamo is a powerful yet simple type of generator, which, interestingly, was fitted to older vehicle models. Nowadays, most modern vehicles are fitted with an alternator. You may think that the battery provides power for your car, but that\u2019s not always the case. While the battery provides electricity to start the car, it is the dynamo that generates energy that feeds the electrical system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loss and decrease of output from the dynamo will certainly drain the battery simply because the current is not being replaced. The ignition light, which glows faintly, usually indicates a decrease in generator output. You may want to check the fan belt to see if the ignition light turns on and it stays on. However, if you find that the problem is related to the carbon brushes you need to disassemble the dynamo to perform further inspection and, if necessary, repairs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we would also be talking about how it works, as well as how to remove and inspect it. We hope that after you have read this post in its entirety, you will be able to perform this relatively easy task on your own. Read on if you want to know more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Does a Dynamo Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we proceed with the discussions, we should first talk about how a dynamo works<\/a>. A dynamo is an electricity generator, particularly producing direct current. Typically, the stator is the permanent magnet, while the rotor, often called the armature, is wound and is connected to a commutator. This also has a set of electrical connectors, known as brushes, that are made of carbon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electromagnets, often called field coils, are stationary in a dynamo. Typically, the current is generated in the armature, which is generally considered an extra set of coils that are attached to the shaft and turn inside the field coils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In principle, how an alternator works is the same as that of a dynamo. However, the current proceeds into a commutator, which is a metal ring divided into segments linked to the brushes fitted in spring-loaded guides. With this, these two fragments touch the pair of carbon brushes and eventually feed current to these brushes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As your engine\u2019s armature turns, the direct current also changes its direction. However, by that time, other pairs of segments are already under the carbon brushes, in which the new pair is now wired up in a different direction. This process gives way for the current to come out in the same direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Causes Dynamo Failure?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Via: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HgYLnNhy7Oc<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

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Probably the most frequent cause of why a dynamo fails is wear found on the commutator and carbon brushes. Typically, the carbon brushes are the first ones to wear. However, as they grow tinier, the spring pressure that holds them together with the commutator also weakens, eventually leading to uninterrupted sparking, referred to as arcing, amongst the commutator and the carbon brushes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sparking is likely the cause of quick wear of the commutator, which tends to pit the surfaces of its segments. In worse cases, the solder that is found in between the windings and commutator segments melts, which then causes a decrease in output. Loss and decrease of output from the dynamo will certainly drain the battery simply because the current is not being replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ignition light, which glows faintly, normally gives the warning that there is a decrease in the generator output. You may want to check the fan belt to see if the ignition light turns on and it stays on. However, if you notice that the problem originates from the carbon brushes, you need to disassemble the dynamo to perform further inspection and, if necessary, repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Performing an inspection should be a lot easier if your vehicle\u2019s dynamo is already fastened securely, which ensures that the whole unit will not be impaired. To inspect if there is wear on the brushes, you need to remove the endplate in which they have been mounted. In older models, on the other hand, you need to remove the metal band found on its casing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dynamo is typically linked together by lengthy bolts through the length of its casing. The heads extend from the endplate, and they come with screwdriver slots. You need to unscrew these heads to remove the endplate and give it a soft tap using a soft-faced hammer to be able to remove it. You may also grasp it gently using a screwdriver <\/a>that is thin-bladed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Reassemble the Dynamo?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what you should follow in reassembling the dynamo:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n