Why not put terminals on the brush leads?

[hzbloke]

Let me rephrase the question: I've just fitted new brushes and I put eye terminals on the end of the leads. Will I be struck down by the BMW Gods?

I'm sure that I read about doing this but I can't find the reference. It seems easy, practical and effective so is there a reason not to?

[Ken in Oklahoma]

Let me rephrase the question: I've just fitted new brushes and I put eye terminals on the end of the leads. Will I be struck down by the BMW Gods?

I'm sure that I read about doing this but I can't find the reference. It seems easy, practical and effective so is there a reason not to?

You're talking about the alternator brushes, of course. I would be concerned about adding one more electrical connection to the brush lead. That would be one more connection that could deteriorate over time, and which could affect the voltage regulation.

But probably it would work just fine. I just wouldn't do it.

But if I did do it, and if I were afraid of the BMW gods, I would wear a mask and do it under an alias. (Hint: pick the name of somebody you don't like.)


Ken

[Airbear]

You can't beat this place for good technical advice.
I had never thought to wear a mask and work under an alias when doing motorcycle butchery.
Thanks Ken.

[ME 109]

I do it all the time.

Fritz.

[Jean]

How it is in Germany: If there isn't a "rule" that says you CAN DO IT, you are not allowed.
Solder joints are much better conductors than mechanical ones, BTW.

[enigmaT120]

I got that idea from something Joel Rappaport, the Iron Butt guy, wrote. It's what he does. I don't remember if he said to crimp or solder (or both) the terminals. I'm sure I just crimped them. It makes that whole job really easy.

[hzbloke]

I wish I'd known about the mask and the alias before I started. At least I was wearing a silly hat. It's a major failing of Clymer that it doesn't include this sort of information. Just to be sure everything will be OK I'm about to go and sacrifice something big and red and gutsy. Hopefully a bottle of Rutherglen durif will appease the gods. It'll certainly please me.

I'll report back when the terminals fail.

[Airbear]

You are definitely on the right track, Ray. The Rutherglen Durifs are proper reds. Downright chunky, in fact.

[sprints@pldi.net]

I recently tried to buy some brushes from BMW and their parts locating software said that literally every dealer was out of them. So, I called Rick at Motorad and he sent me 2 sets he gets from Europe that have the terminals on them. I reasoned why cut them off when the immediate next link in the chain is another blade terminal. So I helped things a little more by soldering the terminal that came on the brushes and using a light wipe of dielectric grease to prevent corrosion - Rod

[enigmaT120]

Mine only lasted 70,000 miles, assuming I replaced the originals. They won't last long enough to corrode much.