Austin Ten Drivers Club

Hello from Australia

The dynamo on my 1932 Austin Ten is making a noise. Hard to describe - squeaking, scraping. Not fan belt slippage, definitely the dynamo. The dynamo is, I believe, original. Lucas C45E. Type N9 (not clear). My first thought was that the bushes were worn and scraping on the commutator.

Can anyone suggest what it might be and how it can be fixed. My check on the spares site indicated that brush sets are out of stock.

Alternately, I can take the dynamo to a local auto electrician but I'm sure if they're prepared to work on an ancient dynamo.

Thanks
Dave Young

A chirruping noise from a dynamo could be:

• belt slipping - but you say not. Sometimes only slips when generator comes under increased load e.g. with headlights and or wipers on
• bronze bush needs oiling - there is a lubricator at one end of the dynamo shaft (the opposite end from roller bearing). This can be either a felt wick under a metal cover that needs occasional oiling with light oil, or a screw on/off greaser which is loaded with a reservoir of grease and occasionally screwed down a part-turn to lubricate the bearing. If overlooked and not lubricated this can start to squeek. I have had one seize up (not on an Austin)
• Squeak from commutator / brushes - may need a clean or refacing

Thank you Peter
Will run through your check list and let you know.
Cheers
Dave

Hello Peter and all

Found out what the noise was. The spring returns on the brushes rest on short metal stem which has a very small slide on bakerlight cover. What actually happened is the bakerlight cover broke into 3 pieces. One piece is still under the spring return and the other 2 pieces were stuck behind one of the carbon brushes and making the squealing noise. These 2 pieces were removed. No more squealing!

Can leave as is with the hope that the remaining piece will stay under the spring return or try to find an original bakerlight cover or use some other cover eg plastic/vinyl piping so the spring return is not metal to metal.

I guess the reason for the bakerlight cover is to prevent arcing.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Kind regards
Dave Young

Sorry about my 'bakerlight' spelling. Should be bakelite!

dnyoung wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:35 am

Sorry about my 'bakerlight' spelling. Should be bakelite!

Glad you found the answer. Not come across that problem before - learn something new every day.
Donut worrie abowt speling But of course it should have a capital B as it is a trade name

Thanks Peter
Do you know where I can source these little buggers? Has anyone in the club got any old dynamos Lucas C45E Type N9 lying around. I would like to keep original. As Bakelite is non-conductive any thoughts on what else I could use if it's not possible to get the original.
Dave

Hi Dave
If its a 1932 dynamo I guess its a three brush and not a two brush dynamo I have some spares off an old three brush dynamo but I cannot picture the part you need if you could send a photo of part I will see if I can Help

Regards Ollis

Thanks Ollis
It is a 3 brush dynamo. Not sure if I can post a photo on this site. However, if you can send you your email address I will send photos.
My email is - dalbany544@gmail.com
I live in Newcastle, Australia.
Regards
Dave