How often should generator carbon brushes be replaced?

[FelicityDella]

Generator carbon brushes should be replaced every 2000 hours under good environmental conditions, and every 1000 hours under harsh environmental conditions. The reasons for generator carbon brush failure are: 1. Dirty surfaces of slip rings, brushes, brush holders, and brush racks; 2. Sticking edges of brush holders and uneven spring pressure; 3. Excessive vibration of the unit shaft system, causing the slip rings to vibrate as well. Solutions for faulty generator carbon brushes include: 1. Completely removing the burnt mica, eliminating grounding faults, and refilling the slot with asbestos wire before smoothing it out for continued use; 2. If the diode is damaged, cutting its lead wire or replacing the diode; 3. If the carbon brush is broken, it can be removed and replaced with a carbon rod from a dry battery, shaped into a brush, with a small slot opened at the top for wiring as an emergency measure; 4. If the pulley is loose, inserting hard objects such as wire into the half-moon key to tighten the pulley and shaft, securing the pulley.