'55 Super 55 Dead Overnight

[RooWalk]

I bought the Oliver a new battery yesterday (he's been busy playing paperweight too long) and mowed all afternoon. Mowing in thick, tall weeds. He got hot (I've cleaned off the radiator!!), but I checked a couple hours later when I fed the livestock. Started right up, not a bit of lag.
I have replaced the battery clamps, all is tight, and the cables look to be good.
Tractor has been here three years with an ancient battery and always started first crank.
Until he didn't.
No lights on this beastie ... next idea?
Thank you!!

 

[Jim.ME]

Generator or alternator? If a Generator the cutout points may have stuck.

 

[JOCCO]

Generator or alternator? If a Generator the cutout points may have stuck.

I am with Jim on this one time to get the multimeter out and check the charging system.

 

[RooWalk]

I am with Jim on this one time to get the multimeter out and check the charging system.

Thank you!!!!
I have a volunteer to come out this weekend to check. I have a meter (somewhere) but I have no idea how to read it.
I have consciously avoided all things electric all my life.
How do I tell (am off to research) if it is generator or alternator?? Reading the article on changing right now.
12v battery means alternator???
Should I have bought a 6V??

 

[Jim.ME]

Thank you!!!!
I have a volunteer to come out this weekend to check. I have a meter (somewhere) but I have no idea how to read it.
I have consciously avoided all things electric all my life.
How do I tell (am off to research) if it is generator or alternator?? Reading the article on changing right now.
12v battery means alternator???
Should I have bought a 6V??

We cannot see it. Post some pictures of your tractor and the components driven by belts at the front of the engine. If one has a tag that says Delco Remy clean it off and take a picture of it. Those things will help or at least be easier to tell you where and what to look for. From the parts book it looks like some were 6 volt and some were 12 volts.

 

[rrlund]

All the diesels were 12v, gas were 6v until 1957. I can tell from looking, that one's pre 1957. I can see in the picture in your other post, it has a 12v alternator though. I'd guess it's a self exitor and doesn't have a regulator.

 

[RooWalk]

All the diesels were 12v, gas were 6v until 1957. I can tell from looking, that one's pre 1957. I can see in the picture in your other post, it has a 12v alternator though. I'd guess it's a self exitor and doesn't have a regulator.

She is a gas '55
I for sure had some panicy moments!!
Looked at it when I fed, and it is an alternator.
Currently, I am sulking over the battery, and the new charger ... by tomorrow, I'll think of them as an investment, since the battery that was in there was ancient and I let the charger get wet a couple of times. Even by tractor standards LOL
Now the focus is on the alternator, and a new belt 'cause we are there anyway. Not sure about new plug wires and points ..........
One of my neighbors (who has new JDs) is telling me it is a safety switch. I don't think the Oliver has a safety switch.

 

[Princeton Bill]

Buy an Operators manual from the Floyd County Museum, 500 Gilbert Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616, telephone number 641 228-1099, [email protected]. Have your serial number available if you call or email them.

 

[Gary Mitchell]

Thank you!!!!
I have a volunteer to come out this weekend to check. I have a meter (somewhere) but I have no idea how to read it.
I have consciously avoided all things electric all my life.
How do I tell (am off to research) if it is generator or alternator?? Reading the article on changing right now.
12v battery means alternator???
Should I have bought a 6V?

I bought the Oliver a new battery yesterday (he's been busy playing paperweight too long) and mowed all afternoon. Mowing in thick, tall weeds. He got hot (I've cleaned off the radiator!!), but I checked a couple hours later when I fed the livestock. Started right up, not a bit of lag.
I have replaced the battery clamps, all is tight, and the cables look to be good.
Tractor has been here three years with an ancient battery and always started first crank.
Until he didn't.
No lights on this beastie ... next idea?
Thank you!!

.the shorter lighter colored one is alternator. The other,,,,generator. gm

 

[JOCCO]

She is a gas '55
I for sure had some panicy moments!!
Looked at it when I fed, and it is an alternator.
Currently, I am sulking over the battery, and the new charger ... by tomorrow, I'll think of them as an investment, since the battery that was in there was ancient and I let the charger get wet a couple of times. Even by tractor standards LOL
Now the focus is on the alternator, and a new belt 'cause we are there anyway. Not sure about new plug wires and points ..........
One of my neighbors (who has new JDs) is telling me it is a safety switch. I don't think the Oliver has a safety switch.

Roo The other guys are correct but a generator can be 12 volt and an alternator can be 6 volt Though the later is rare.

 

[Jim.ME]

.the shorter lighter colored one is alternator. The other,,,,generator. gmView attachment 131166

He has an alternator, established in post # 6. Currently we don't know if it is one wire or three.;

 

[JOCCO]

Thank you!!!!
I have a volunteer to come out this weekend to check. I have a meter (somewhere) but I have no idea how to read it.
I have consciously avoided all things electric all my life.
How do I tell (am off to research) if it is generator or alternator?? Reading the article on changing right now.
12v battery means alternator???
Should I have bought a 6V??

Short term best to have your friend help you on that. Next id its bad find a starter shop they should be able to fix it.

 

[Jim.ME]

I seriously doubt it is a 6-volt alternator. If you post a couple closer pictures of the alternator that shows the wiring and a good one straight on the back about 18" away from it, we may be able to tell you how to test it on the tractor, if your "volunteer" doesn't know how to.