Alternator issues

[grandpa Love]

Farmall Super A. Got it with a frozen generator and no voltage regulator. No lights. We installed a 12 volt coil, 12 volt battery, all new cables, and wire. 12 volt mini one wire alternator. Wire from alternator to gauge ( the original gauge) then to starter stud ( positive battery) we have done this on several tractors, never an issue. Tried to hook up the negative battery quick connect and sparks flew!! What did I do wrong?? Unhooked the wire at alternator and tractor fires right up.

 

[Rich'sToys]

You said that one wire was original. Is it perhaps frayed or cracked somewhere?

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Farmall Super A. Got it with a frozen generator and no voltage regulator. No lights. We installed a 12 volt coil, 12 volt battery, all new cables, and wire. 12 volt mini one wire alternator. Wire from alternator to gauge ( the original) then to starter stud ( positive battery) we have done this on several tractors, never an issue. Tried to hook up the negative battery quick connect and sparks flew!! What did I do wrong?? Unhooked the wire at alternator and tractor fires right up.

GP
I think your alternator may have Gremlins.
You may need to call the Gremlin exterminator to get them out of your shop.
I would take the alternator to the auto store and see if they think you have Gremlins.
I've been told that Gremlins could hide in Automatic transmissions making it very hard to repair.
Good luck.

 

[grandpa Love]

You said that one wire was original. Is it perhaps frayed or cracked somewhere?

Every wire is brand new... We replaced them..... Gauge is original

 

[farmer656]

Farmall Super A. Got it with a frozen generator and no voltage regulator. No lights. We installed a 12 volt coil, 12 volt battery, all new cables, and wire. 12 volt mini one wire alternator. Wire from alternator to gauge ( the original gauge) then to starter stud ( positive battery) we have done this on several tractors, never an issue. Tried to hook up the negative battery quick connect and sparks flew!! What did I do wrong?? Unhooked the wire at alternator and tractor fires right up.

your gauge may be Bad , grounding its self out

 

[grandpa Love]

your gauge may be Bad , grounding its self out

Wouldn't it still spark if I unhook the alternator? The hot wire from the battery is still running through the gauge....

 

[wore out]

Farmall Super A. Got it with a frozen generator and no voltage regulator. No lights. We installed a 12 volt coil, 12 volt battery, all new cables, and wire. 12 volt mini one wire alternator. Wire from alternator to gauge ( the original gauge) then to starter stud ( positive battery) we have done this on several tractors, never an issue. Tried to hook up the negative battery quick connect and sparks flew!! What did I do wrong?? Unhooked the wire at alternator and tractor fires right up.

Mini alternators CAN be ordered for (+) ground. Probably NOT what you have but the possibility exists.

Check for continuity between the alternator's output stud and it's "frame" with an Ohmmeter. Reverse the leads, and check again. If it shows continuity both ways the alternator is "shorted". The stud MAY have turned a little or otherwise moved and compromised it's insulation.

The other possibility is that the battery has been charged backwards.

YES, that is possible, if a "car battery" is run completely dead and the charger is then connected with reverse polarity the battery will become charged in reverse.

 

[Brown David]

Wouldn't it still spark if I unhook the alternator? The hot wire from the battery is still running through the gauge....

Yep.

Something wrong with the alternator I'd say.

 

[grandpa Love]

Mini alternators CAN be ordered for (+) ground. Probably NOT what you have but the possibility exists.

Check for continuity between the alternator's output stud and it's "frame" with an Ohmmeter. Reverse the leads, and check again. If it shows continuity both ways the alternator is "shorted". The stud MAY have turned a little or otherwise moved and compromised it's insulation.

The other possibility is that the battery has been charged backwards.

YES, that is possible, if a "car battery" is run completely dead and the charger is then connected with reverse polarity the battery will become charged in reverse.

Brand new battery from Rural King

 

[Janicholson]

With the alternator installed, but not connected to the one wire, and the battery connected (both terminals with Negative ground) use a test light from the battery positive to the output stud on the alternator. If it lights, the alternator is either shorted (as noted here) or designed for positive ground. Jim

 

[grandpa Love]

With the alternator installed, but not connected to the one wire, and the battery connected (both terminals with Negative ground) use a test light from the battery positive to the output stud on the alternator. If it lights, the alternator is either shorted (as noted here) or designed for positive ground. Jim

This tell you anything? Reads the same if we switch leads

 

[grandpa Love]

Mini alternators CAN be ordered for (+) ground. Probably NOT what you have but the possibility exists.

Check for continuity between the alternator's output stud and it's "frame" with an Ohmmeter. Reverse the leads, and check again. If it shows continuity both ways the alternator is "shorted". The stud MAY have turned a little or otherwise moved and compromised it's insulation.

The other possibility is that the battery has been charged backwards.

YES, that is possible, if a "car battery" is run completely dead and the charger is then connected with reverse polarity the battery will become charged in reverse.

Does this help? Reads the same if we switch leads

 

[wore out]

This tell you anything? Reads the same if we switch leads

Yep, it's shorted!

Take a close look at the insulating washers on the output stud and see if anything is obviously damaged or out of place there.

 

[Janicholson]

This tell you anything? Reads the same if we switch leads

I agree with wore out One way should show near infinity ohms and the other near zero ohms. Jim

 

[Rich'sToys]

You said that one wire was original. Is it perhaps frayed or cracked somewhere?

Every wire is brand new... We replaced them..... Gauge is original

My apologies. I must have misread your original post--unless you went back and edited it later.