520 won't charge

[dunoon2]

Couldn't get my 520 started dead battery. Charged the battery fired right up. Noticed for awhile the amp meter not moving didn't really think about it. Anyway I started checking out the generator terminal wiring got juice on the battery wire and nothing on the field or the armature wire. Removed the cover on the regulator and while running the points didn't kick-in pushed with my finger the points made contact and everything worked OK. What draws that coil closed? I'm thinking it might be the regulator but, would like to make sure. Years ago I kinda remember taking a piece of wire and going from one terminal to another. Can't remember what that procedure is called and what I did. I can hardly what I had for breakfast let alone something I did over 8 years ago. Thanks

 

[rrlund]

Search polarizing a generator.

 

[JIM MN]

Are you12 volt battery, positive ground? You are asking about polarizing the generator? Tractor shut off, on the regulator, using a short piece of wire, strike a spark between BAT and GEN terminals on the regulator? It is polarized!

 

[wore out]

Search polarizing a generator.

When he pushed the cutout points closed he polarized the generator, NOT the correct way to do it, but it's done and the generator should now charge each time the engine is started.

If NOT, the generator MAY be "bad" or the field control VR points aren't making contact.