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Travel pack alternator brush pack


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I've just had to replace this item after 2000 hours since alt O/H. Got 2 brush packs for £60 delivered from "four counties services" fitted and spare in the spares box so happy. I've used him before very good service and support. See his web site for work he undertakes he will come to you he is based at Leek. His upgraded our domestic alternator with new high output unit fitted with smaller drive wheel so alt runs at higher speed at low engine speed works very well, also he o/h's travel pack alternators installs new bearings etc which he did for me. Problem with the bearings is if they fail they wipe out the alternator which is mega bucks to replace so prevention better then cure.

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He and Cox Automotive are the two TravelPower specialist.

 

Cox have the advantage that they can repair the internals of the electronics boxes, Four Counties have the advantage that he will come to your boat, whilst Cox's are more workshop based.

 

The alternator bearings do need routine replacement, the frequency depends on which model of alternator you have. If they fail they can destroy the stator. Cox will rewind a new one for you, its not cheap but its not really mega bucks either. I know this ?

 

.............Dave

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On 21/06/2021 at 14:02, Sir Nibble said:

Interesting. Any chance of a picture of the new brush gear?

 

There are two types of alternator, the older systems used a Bosch, the newer ones are an Iskra (I think).

The old Bosch one has the more severe bearing failure risk as it was never intended for a highly tensioned polyV belt so needs new bearings every few thousand hours.

The Bosch brush box also needs some though as a grounding strap has to be cut through . If its supplied by Four Counties then he will have done this but if it comes from eBay or an auto parts place you might have to do this yourself. I think its an expensive failure if you get this wrong.

 

.............Dave

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30 minutes ago, dmr said:

 

There are two types of alternator, the older systems used a Bosch, the newer ones are an Iskra (I think).

The old Bosch one has the more severe bearing failure risk as it was never intended for a highly tensioned polyV belt so needs new bearings every few thousand hours.

The Bosch brush box also needs some though as a grounding strap has to be cut through . If its supplied by Four Counties then he will have done this but if it comes from eBay or an auto parts place you might have to do this yourself. I think its an expensive failure if you get this wrong.

 

.............Dave

Bet I can turn them out for less than a fiver.

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4 minutes ago, Sir Nibble said:

Bet I can turn them out for less than a fiver.

 

I don't know how big the market is, its not just boats, a lot were fitted to LandRovers etc

The old Bosch ones turn up on eBay from time to time, but that could well be Four Counties. They are not cheap.

You could also offer a bearing replacement service as both Cox's and Four Counties are midlands based, There is nobody down south, and finding a garage able replace an alternator bearing is almost impossible. It usually needs a press so is not a DIY job for most boaters.

By the time the brushes have gone its probably time for new bearings too.

 

I've got a brushbox here somewhere, so if the OP can not do a photo I will do one.

 

............Dave

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On 21/06/2021 at 14:02, Sir Nibble said:

Interesting. Any chance of a picture of the new brush gear?

New and old side by side. Old ones may have had some more life left in them because one was stuck when I removed it. However new one in now working fine and I’ve now made a note to remove and clean after about a 1000 hrs of running which should be later in the year. As live aboard engine gets heavy usage so I like to keep on top of servicing etc. Also it’s a life time of aircraft engineering coming out prevention is better than cure!

EB695457-4A63-490B-ADEB-8DDB45BC3D30.jpeg

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3 minutes ago, Sir Nibble said:

£1.59 + vat to me!

 

That sounds like made in China. Are they good quality?

On a different alternator I have seen a big variation is slip ring wear. It might be bad luck but maybe some carbon brushes are a bit gritty, Have you got any thoughts on this?

 

Anyway, get some in, cut the ground strap and sell them on eBay for £15 ?

 

..........Dave

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6 minutes ago, dmr said:

 

That sounds like made in China. Are they good quality?

On a different alternator I have seen a big variation is slip ring wear. It might be bad luck but maybe some carbon brushes are a bit gritty, Have you got any thoughts on this?

 

Anyway, get some in, cut the ground strap and sell them on eBay for £15 ?

 

 

Good quality or I wouldn't be using this company as my main supplier. Slip ring wear is common but replacements are cheap and no big deal to fit. Suppose I get a brush assy, modify it and send it to you for checking?

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1 hour ago, Sir Nibble said:

Good quality or I wouldn't be using this company as my main supplier. Slip ring wear is common but replacements are cheap and no big deal to fit. Suppose I get a brush assy, modify it and send it to you for checking?

 

Probably too late for this year. If a couple of Rochdale stoppages get sorted we plan to set off in the next couple of days for several months of long distance boating, so will have no postal address.

Should be more settled down (mostly local boating) from October.  Don't think we will get to the K&A this year, maybe Lechlade.

 

If I can find an old one I could send it to you.

 

...............Dave

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