How to Clean an Alternator?

[Extemporaneous]

I'm installing a new high output alternator and will keeping my original as a spare. It needs to be cleaned up and so am looking for some guidance as to the best way to go about it and what to use to do it. Are there any gotcha's or other things to watch out for? Anything that I should MAKE SURE I do? Cleaning chemicals that should NOT be used due to residual conductivity, degradation of insulation or other?
Let me know.

Thanks,
Extemp.

[delmarrey]

Get a can of brake cleaner from the local auto parts dealer. It's basically alcohol and other light solvents under pressure. ID Red or Zep are the most common brands.

Hang it and spray.

[Extemporaneous]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Get a can of brake cleaner from the local auto parts dealer. It's basically alcohol and other light solvents under pressure. ID Red or Zep are the most common brands.

Hang it and spray.

Thanks.
I guess that is to say that there is no need to take anything apart?
And I would assume I'm to keep spraying until the brake cleaner fluid that drips from the alternator is clear?

Extemp.

[delmarrey]

I would suggest supporting the alt. with the shaft horizontal with an opening at the bottom so as not to wash the grease out of the bearings. Old alt. bearings would have worn seals if any at all.

If it were mine I'd take it apart, replace the brushes and bearings after a good cleaning inside and out.

The few things that damage alternators are: vibration, overloading (bad batteries), short brushes, bad bearings and contamination. And of course PEOPLE that hook them up wrong.

Some alt's are just lemons (bad windings).

[Extemporaneous]

Okay,
Thanks,

Extemp.