Why have a generator cover?

[harrymarlin]

They are readily available, both used and reproduction, over a wide range of years, conflicting opinions as to why they actually exist, and I rarely see them in a live motor.

I'm talking about generator [dust] covers.

The Bentley manual mentions them once, and suggests they may not always be present.

Are they to stop rain? Dust? Fuel? (All the above?). Do you need 1 or 2 (2 will restrict the air flow too much?)? Perhaps only used in sedans, and not convertibles? Maybe only used in certain climates? The forum threads I have read have been all over the place.

Does anyone have any ideas or evidence on their use?
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-Harry
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1967 Ruby Red Convertible Beetle ("Becky")
ISO Albuquerque "Imported Motors" dealership paraphernalia

[EA812]

That's weird I've rarely seen a generator without these. I do think it has something to do with airflow for cooling the generator. I have seen where people have the generator installed wrong ( turned to the left or right) and people mentioned it in regards to improper cooling.
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[67rustavenger]

I have gen covers on all of my engines. I have no idea why. They just appear to be factory correct.
Maybe they are a safety item. I know, I wouldn't want to get a finger caught in the gen while the engine is running.
Another thought may be safety related too. It might be to prevent a screw from being dropped into the gen and F-ing up the commutator.

It's kinda like the mystery surrounding the crank pulley shield. What's that for? Again, I have them on all of my engines because they appear to be factory correct.
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[ZENVWDRIVER]

… I rarely see them - currently nona' my generators have one - I like the old finned band-type ones best, anyway - z

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[halfassleatherworks]

IMO if you have a fuel leak and it gets into the cooling air for the generator. it is also a point of ignition for a fire from the brushes.
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[harrymarlin]

Hmmm... perhaps they are more common for certain years/types? I generally am looking at 67 engines, and they don't seem to have them.
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-Harry
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1967 Ruby Red Convertible Beetle ("Becky")
ISO Albuquerque "Imported Motors" dealership paraphernalia

[FL-Frank]

My ‘67 has both.
_________________
“Tinker Toy” 1967 Savannah Beige Beetle Sedan...........Mostly Original Survivor
“Fritz” 1964 Gulf Blue Karmann Ghia Coupe...Complete Pan-Off Restoration SOLD

[Q-Dog]

Only ever saw them on late cars with vented decklids without a rain tray. And there was only the one on top ... not needed on the bottom slot.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[aircooled]

1967’s 1500’s did not come with a generator dust cover.
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67 Sun Roof / Born Sept 66 / Second Owner
67 Convertible / Born Aug 66 / Second Owner

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[RWK]

Things have them also. At least my 73 does.
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73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530

[KTPhil]

[mukluk]

[harrymarlin]

[Cusser]

I think it's a nut, just tough to tell from angle of the photo.
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[KTPhil]

If you click and enlarge, there is no sign of the shaft, which usually has a slight centering dimple. The nut/bolt hex is thicker than most I've seen. If the shims are used correctly, the shaft's threads should protrude slightly beyond the nut's threads.

Comparison:

It doesn't really matter, and certainly not to this thread, it just caught my eye and looked "wrong."

[cricketseed]

For what it's worth, CIP1 says the cover they sell "clips over the top brush hole on your generator to prevent dirt and garbage from falling into the generator."

https://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DC10%2D5763
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'66 Beetle

[NavyGeneral]

Aircooled from Heartland is Correct. I have owned my 67 for nigh onto 55 years now, didn't come with those covers (as it didn't come with the much lamented engine lock dust covers-because VW didn't send them out into the world with them). Checking with VW Parts manuals, one from early 1960's no generator covers, later manual from 1970's, no generator covers. if such a genuine VW part existed it would have been in the Parts Manuals and have a Part Number. A casual check of Owners manual doesn't reveal generator covers either. I don't recall seeing anything about generator covers in myriad Volkswagen bulletins perused many times.

[Al Capulco]

Part number is 111 903 531. Quantity 1.

[NavyGeneral]

Not in Parts List/manual from early 1960' or 1970's, nor is it in VW Autobahn parts list from latter 1970's. Not in Reputable non VW sources such as "ROKA" or "Automotive Catalogs Inc 1969. Not on several Bosch rebuilt generators I have. Since the initial query was concerning 1967 I stand with Aircooled from heartland. Didn't have them! Volkswagen "E" Electrical workshop manual Part 1 (July 1970) in overhauling the generator doesn't show a dust cover nor discuss one. However, your Part Number does show up on Type 181 Parts Manual (111 903 531) as "Cover for carbon brush aperture" for generators 113 903 031 G and 031 P, 211 903 031 E and 031 D, 113 903 031 K. This manual is dated from April 1973 and indeed shows the cover in Illustrated Parts List. The Model 181 perhaps may be where the covers came into play with folks backdating their generators-but not as the 1967 Type 1 came from factory!

[viiking]

My ‘68 Euro spec came fitted with what is often erroneously called the “67 year only” generator with push on generator terminals. It has been in the family since new and does not have the covers fitted.
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Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3