Coals for generators: role, change and cost

The carbon or generator brushes are part of your generator. They serve to supplement the rotor when it is not producing enough voltage for your battery to function properly. The carbon brushes of the alternator work by friction and are therefore wear parts.

🚗 What are generator coals used for?

. coal generator also called generator brushes... They are part of an alternator whose role is to generate electricity to recharge the battery and thus power your vehicle's electrical and lighting equipment.

Generator coals are used to transmit an electric field to rotor when it does not generate enough voltage to power the battery.

There are two coal generators that are powered by friction... They create an electrical circuit by rubbing collectors generator rotor. They are made of carbon and mounted on a mounting plate. Finally, they are connected to regulator generator.

⚠️ What are the symptoms of HS coals?

The carbon brushes of the generator are wear parts. Indeed, their frictional work means that they gradually wear out as they rub the generator rotor collectors. As a rule, they should be changed after 100 kilometer.

You can check the condition of the generator coals by their appearance. If they are black, dirty, warped, or loose, it's time to replace the coals in the generator.

Worn out generator brushes will no longer allow the generator to function properly. Then you will notice the following symptoms:

• Problem battery charge ;
• Electrical voltage failure ;
• Battery indicator is on on the dashboard.

🔧 How to check the carbon of an alternator?

If you have problems with the generator, you can test its operation. After confirming that the fault is not in the battery, measure the alternator voltage. This must be understood from 13,3 to 14,7 B... First of all, this is the problem of the regulator.

Alternator replacement may be required below. To see if there is a problem with the carbon brushes with the generator, they need to be checked. checking them visually... The wear of the generator carbon brushes is indeed visible to the naked eye: if they are deformed or blackened, they must be replaced.

👨‍🔧 How to replace the coal in the generator?

Replacing the carbon brushes of the generator is a difficult operation, since the removal of the carbon brushes requires soldering the connecting wires. Therefore, to install new carbon brushes, it will be necessary to re-weld. In addition, you will also have to disassemble and install the generator in order to access it.

Material:

• Tools
• Soldering iron
• New generator carbon brushes

Step 1. Disassemble the generator.

For safety reasons, disconnect the battery first. Then, disconnect the power supply from the generator and remove its mounting bolts and regulator connector. Then you can remove the generator from the housing.

Step 2: Replace the generator carbon brushes

After removing the generator, you will be able to access the carbon brushes. Remove the fixing screws and remove the cover with a screwdriver. Unsolder the wires from the generator coals to remove them.

Replace the old coals of the generator with a couple of new coals. Solder the new coals, placing the connecting wires correctly.

Step 3: assemble the generator

Complete the operation by closing the generator before placing it in the housing. Replace the retaining bolts, then reconnect the battery. Then make sure everything is working correctly.

💸 How much do generator carbon brushes cost?

The price of coal for the generator is not very high: count from 5 to 15 € a couple about. However, for some car models, the price may be higher.

To have worn-out generator carbon brushes replaced by a professional mechanic, add labor cost to the part price. Think from one to two hours work.

Now you know all about generator coals! As you can imagine, this very small part of your generator can lead to real battery problems. Feel free to check them out so as not to completely replace the alternator should you run into charging problems.