ELECTRICAL REBUILDER’S ASSOCIATION—Technical Document CS201403F www.electricalrebuilders.org Tech Tip 21Sl and 22S! Brush Holders BY KEN PLOURDE Coorrerion is a big problem in northern states where salt is used on the roads to melt ice in the winter. Brush leads on 21SI and 22SI alternators seem to be particularly susceptible. The salt causes them to corrode away, resulting in alternator failure. The solution to this problem that has worked for me, is to use dielectric grease on the brush leads with these alternators. ‘The application is easy to do and takes only a minute. Simply put a small amount of dielectric grease between your index finger and thumb, then pinch along the brush lead from one end to the other. This coats the fine strands of copper wire and seals out air and moisture. It works for marine applications, too. We have been doing this for many years and have not had a single unit returned with corroded brush leads since using this procedure. It is an inexpensive and quick method of preventing a warranty return because of a corroded brush lead. Ken Plourde owns Guy’ Electric Service, South Windsor, Conn. Figure 1—Rub dielectric into the brush lead to prevent corrosion. An ERA Publication. ©2014, Electrical Rebuilder’s Association. All rights reserved. No portion of the guide may be reproduced Page 1 in any way, or stored in any electronic retrieval system without the prior written consent of the Electrical Rebuilder’s Association.