The safest cleaning solvent for alternator interior?

Hi Guys,

I have an alternator from an EF Falcon that I'm using to upgrade my existing alternator of my Patrol.
I found out there's a fair bit gunk build up inside the alternator. I cleaned the outside gunk using a petrol soaked cloth. However I'm bit unsure how to clean the interior without damaging the insulation coating on the coil windings.
I can use petrol with a brush, but not too sure whether it's ok to do that.
I'm planning to replace the bearings, so it's not a problem if petrol gets into the bearings.
I'm pretty sure electronic parts like rectifier and the regulator won't be affected by petrol.

I can also use degreaser and hose off all the gunk using high pressure water spray.

The reason I'm going to all the trouble to clean the interior of this alternator is because I don't want the alternator parts to overheat.
The gunk inside is a mixture of transmission oil & dust. EF Falcons have reputation for leaking transmission oil onto the alternator. That's the reason for my trouble.

So, petrol, degreaser or something else?
Basically I'm planning to spray the cleaner and then use a plastic brush to brush off the gunk. Then either hose it off with water or let it sun dry depending on the cleaner I use.

MY major concern is any possible damage to the coil winding insulation coating from the cleaning chemical.

Thanks in advance for any tips/advice.

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...ecommendations


http://www.bunnings.com.au/wd-40-spe...aner-_p6100409

what he said or i use brake cleaner but probably not as good as the correct stuff but still safer than petrol

From memory we used Kero and a brush to clean the winding area on motors
Would not be using high pressure for anything,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by threedogs

From memory we used Kero and a brush to clean the winding area on motors
Would not be using high pressure for anything,

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Thanx mate. If Kero is ok, I reckon petrol or degreaser should be ok as well?!

BTW, when I said high pressure I didn't exactly mean with high pressure pump, but rather using a normal garden hose with highest pressure possible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garett

what he said or i use brake cleaner but probably not as good as the correct stuff but still safer than petrol

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You reckon petrol or kero may not be good for the copper coil windings?
Insulation on coil windings is a some kind lacquer, isn't it?
So, heavy solvents like petrol can't be good?!!

BTW, I used high pressure air and then water hose to clean the radiator & the condenser.
I'm wondering whether it was a bad idea?

Thanx mate

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dom14

You reckon petrol or kero may not be good for the copper coil windings?
Insulation on coil windings is a some kind lacquer, isn't it?
So, heavy solvents like petrol can't be good?!!

BTW, I used high pressure air and then water hose to clean the radiator & the condenser.
I'm wondering whether it was a bad idea?

Thanx mate

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i use a gernie to clean rads/condensers just be really careful

yeah it's like a clear lacquer so i'm just a little concerned about strong solvents. could be fine but i'm unsure... never wanted to risk it on my own stuff, but hey it sounds like it works, (i might have to try it on a dead one to see for myself could be quicker and cheaper)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garett

i use a gernie to clean rads/condensers just be really careful

yeah it's like a clear lacquer so i'm just a little concerned about strong solvents. could be fine but i'm unsure... never wanted to risk it on my own stuff, but hey it sounds like it works, (i might have to try it on a dead one to see for myself could be quicker and cheaper)

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Hi Garett,
I did some reading on the internet and they apparently spray a clean lacquer/varnish etc on the copper wires and probably something else as a finish coating.
Solvents are apparently a not a good idea since they can remove some of the insulation coating & obviously brushing with solvents(which I was planning to do) is a bad idea. I think if I spray a clear lacquer similar to the original spray after cleaning, it should be ok, but too much work I reckon.(apparently that's what pro's do when they have to clean coil windings).

The problem with this alternator is that there's too much grime inside it. It works fine, but I worry it might overheat as all the heat generating parts are covered with the grime.
The cooling fan may not be enough. It's an internal cooling fan, but fan itself covered with this crap. In theory, bit of transmission oil inside the the alternator can be good for
heat dissipation, but it won't be when there's more grime than oil.

I reckon I'm probably better off using a warm water+detergent bath with a soft brush and then sun dry the unit completely. By the sound of it, it won't be a quick job, which is ok, 'cos I still got the stock alternator, so I'm in no hurry.

If I use solvents like petrol or kero, I probably wanna spray some coil winding insulation lacquer/varnish afterwards.

I also have general purpose degreaser, which I reckon safer than petrol or kero.

So, I think I'll go with water+detergent or degreaser. Brushing is not recommended, but I can't see how I can get rid of most of the crap without at least a soft brush.

Cheers

It's a great mod. Don't forget to upgrade/add a bigger wire from the alternator to the battery.

Also if yours was like mine, remember where the smaller wires go. One of them goes to ground - I forgot this and connected it to positive.. Bit of smoke as it was an earth wire that wasn't fused..
Thankfully only had to cut a bit of cable, the rest seemed unaffected.

Also, you may need to slightly machine the spacer that sits behind the pulley. I wasn't happy with how the nut sat (not enough purchase) so a friend fabbed up a new spacer.
Everything still lined up ok with the different spacer, bought a couple of spare belts in case I had any issues, but it's probably done around 3000km's since I've fitted it still on the original belt.
I figure if it didn't line up correctly, it'd squeal, and I doubt the belt would last this long.

Plus, this means you just need another pulley for your original alternator and you have a working spare (or take it as is if you take what you need to swap pulleys on the tracks).

Wouldn't ya simply use electronics cleaner.
available from Jaycar.