Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


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#374976 09/07/16 03:49 PM
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In the last month I have replaced both #87 brake light bulbs twice in my '31 coupe. I've only driven about 30 miles since I replaced them last time. I just happened to check and found they were out again today. The ones that blew were GE, and I replaced this time with Wagner. I'm using YnZ's turn signal kit which is part of my harness. The front signal lights are in the cowl lights. The bulbs in the cowl lights have not blown in the 8 years the car has been restored. Any thoughts?
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Check for a bad ground, bad light sockets or a short in the wiring.

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Sockets and ground checked out okay, but generator is putting out 10 volts. Will try to adj third brush. Thanks
Sid


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Finally figured out how to move brush. Generator now putting out 7.8 volts max. Hopefully, this will stop bulb blowing. I don't know how to secure brush. The screw on back of generator is tied to a bracket inside, but the bracket is no where near the new location of the brush.
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[Linked Image from 1931chevrolet.com]


Instructions are Available HERE.

REMEMBER: Move DOWN to go UP. And UP to go DOWN.
(Move brush DOWN to Increase Voltage, and brush UP to lower voltage.)

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Thanks Bill, I'd seen similar picture in manual. I guess I need to study that part of the generator more closely. I moved the brush by using a screw driver like a pry bar. The screw shown in the picture on the back of the generator fastens a small plate on the inside, but it doesn't appear to attach to anything.
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The screw shown in the picture on the back of the generator fastens a small plate on the inside, but it doesn't appear to attach to anything.

The plate doesn't "attach" to anything...instead it holds pressure on the third brush bracket so that the third brush doesn't move after the screw on the end frame is tightened down. Check inside of the generator to make sure that the plate is on top of the third brush bracket to hold it in place.

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I found a spare generator in the attic. Its third brush has a bronze bracket that is secured by the clamp like the Dog days. The third brush on the generator on my 31 does not have this bronze bracket, or maybe not all of it. It seems very secure without being tied down. I had to move it by prying with a screw driver, and after driving 20 miles yesterday, it hasn't moved. The lower voltage is a good thing too. So far no more blown bulbs. Thanks guys.
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I've driven the '31 about 150 miles in the last few months, and I noticed after a short drive that it was making about 7 amps at idle. Checked the stop light bulbs and found that both were blown again. I plan to have my spare generator checked out, and if it's okay I'll run it, since it's third brush appears to be complete.

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The amps will not blow the bulbs. Too many volts will do that.


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Thanks Gene. I'll check the generator output again. I presume the third brush has slipped again.
Sid

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If the clamp for the third brush is tightened down correctly the third brush should not slip.

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Check the voltage, Run engine for about 20 minutes at least fast idle) and it sould be around 7.5 volts.


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Generator output is still 7.5 volts. What else could blow bulbs? The bulbs fit very tightly in the reproduction taillight buckets. Maybe they are hitting the inside of the bucket as the car bounces. Also,every bulb I have used is made in China...am I the only one with this problem? I found 2 new bulbs in my stash with blown filaments. As another test I have a new working 87 brake light bulb in the left taillight bucket. We will see how long it lasts.
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Bulbs made in China are junk.

The generator output of 7.5 volts is perfect.

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Last edited by Junkyard Dog; 12/23/16 12:35 AM.

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Some China stuff is OK but most is junk. I bought a dozen 2530 headlight bulbs that were made in China. The low beam would burn out within 5 seconds. The high beam would last a while. I threw them away and bought two dozen NOS bulbs I found on ebay. If it were me I'd put another Chinese in, lay a brick on the brake pedal, pull up my chair & see if they do the same thing. Watch them for 20-30 minutes without driving the car. See if they simply burn out like the junk ones I bought. Does the inside of the glass have the typical burn mark a burned out bulb makes? For what it's worth I've had pretty good luck with Chinese Wagner bulbs.

Last edited by Tiny; 12/24/16 05:53 PM.

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I ran the car at fast idle with left turn signal on the entire time. Bulb did not blow. Will continue to watch.
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Put new bulb in right side and drove car about 5 miles. Checked bulbs when I got home...both brake light bulbs where blown. There was no discoloration. The filament just had a short section missing. Installed new bulbs in both buckets. One is GE, other is Wagner. I also moved the sockets so that the glass part of the bulbs couldn't touch the bucket.

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I tested it running in the garage for 30 minutes. I left the brake lights on for 15 minutes, flashed the brake lights for 5 minutes, and flashed the left and right blinkers for 5 minutes each. I also tapped on each tailight bucket several times. Both bulbs continued to burn. I'll test drive it when the weather breaks.
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Generator output is still 7.5 volts.

Is that at idle? If so, what is the generator output at speed when driving?

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It was at fast idle, and output was 7.5 volts.

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What is the output while driving at speed?? The output might be too high which would cause the bulbs to blow while you are driving.

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Thanks Dog. I'll check voltage at higher RPM.

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Output voltage at high RPM is 7.85. I just test drove it for about 3 miles. Checked bulbs halfway and they were good. Drove rest of way home and they were both blown! Could the brake light switch do this? It is old, but works. The turn signal switch came with the harness from YNZ.
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If there is no burn marks and the filament is broken then the bulb is hitting something when driving.
Al

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