Off topic Alternator issues

[CaptainJoe]

Had a hard starting 680H Case backhoe that had the starter rebuilt about 10 years ago.

 

This machine sits outside and only has 2-300 hrs. on it since the rebuild.

 

A couple of years ago started having problems with it and had to take it out and clean up to get it to turn over. attributed it to corrosion on end of starter where it bolts to motor . I'd clean it up put back and it would start....

 

Well... it did it again yesterday. I was working on the bulldozer, fabricating a ROPS for it, and needed to lift the bulldozer to get it leveled.

 

Now that really tee'd me off.

 

I tore the starter apart, it was very apparent what the problem was:

 

1. On the back side of the main power lugs, was a 1/8" thick piece of insulating material that fell apart. I cut out 5 pieces of gasket material and used form a gasket between each piece.

 

2. The smaller, bottom side posts were also loose. they were riveted on and the corrosion had eaten the top of the rivet off... I drilled out and inserted new longer rivets. Then drilled new rivets out just to get/obtain the shoulder which I used as a tiny washer on end or rivet. die-electric greased the rivets.

 

Put it back together and it starts like a champ now!

 

 

As the plate that the wire was soldiered to looked to be copper, am thinking an aluminum rivet probably isn't the best choice?

[Yammer Dan]

Am thinking it would be OK. Copper probally a little better conductor if it was being used a lot

 

. Aluminum might have a problem with heat in there?? Not sure which would corrode the fastest.

[Marcarl]

When you have it back together, coat it with Fluid Film, should solve some of your future problems.

[CaptainJoe]

Dan, that's what I was thinking. It should last 5 or more years with that dielectric grease on it but copper rivets would have been better . Don't think it will get that hot.

 

Carl, fluid film? first I've heard of it... does it harden and provide a moisture barrier?

[Marcarl]

 

Carl, fluid film? first I've heard of it... does it harden and provide a moisture barrier?

http://www.fluid-film.com/

Best stuff going, doesn't seem to get hard and flows into where it does most good. I'm doen with WD40 and Deep Creep, still have them for a few things, but mostly I use FF for what ever ails me.

[pmelah]

looks like some good stuff ill have to get some one day and the closes place that sells it is 18 mi from the house

[abusive throttle cranker]

Check out some boating sources. There are corrosion problems using dissimilar metals. Especially ones in direct contact with each other. Salt water aggravates that of course. Boats- especially steel ones- use a grounding tab under the waterline which is intended to disintigrate before anything else. As I recall aluminum is not particularly robust in that regard.