Alternator not charging

[jhncp]

The alternator on a tractor does not seem to be working. Looking for an easy trick. It has power to it. It must be a one wire alternator.

 

[stevieb49829]

That's not a one wire. But I'm not sure if that is an external regulator, or something else. Must have had a parasitic drain to have an on/off switch. steve

 

[Jim.ME]

It is not a 1 wire. It is a Delco Remy 10DN externally regulated alternator. It looks like the original DR regulator has been replaced with a little solid circuit one (the little box held by the upper right case screw.

To give the alternator a full field output test remove the plug from the back of the alternator. With the engine running at high idle, use a jumper wire to put power to the field (left) spade terminal. That should give full output from the alternator. You can monitor output with a voltmeter at the battery stud of the alternator. If the output goes up the alternator is good, the regulator is suspect. No increase in battery voltage, it is likely the alternator is shot.

 

[Gambles]

Who put that toggle switch in that circuit?
That needs to be turned on for it to work.

 

[moresmoke]

That’s a Delco 10DN external regulator alternator. The way its connected, the regulator would cause a drain if the switch is left on.

 

[Jim.ME]

It looks like the picture below is what is on it as a regulator. It makes the alternator function as a one wire. If there is an alternator or regulator issue, I would seriously look at up grading the 10SI 3 wire (or one wire) or one of the new small frame alternators and wiring it correctly.

You need to check that there is not an issue with the switch or power wire coming to the alternator battery terminal. If that has no power to the alternator battery terminal it won't work.

 

[rustred]

The alternator on a tractor does not seem to be working. Looking for an easy trick. It has power to it. It must be a one wire alternator.

if it has power to it, why not check the output power. many times them old alternators only needed a new set of brushes and grease the brgs and good to go again.

 

[jhncp]

It looks like the picture below is what is on it as a regulator. It makes the alternator function as a one wire. If there is an alternator or regulator issue, I would seriously look at up grading the 10SI 3 wire (or one wire) or one of the new small frame alternators and wiring it correctly.

You need to check that there is not an issue with the switch or power wire coming to the alternator battery terminal. If that has no power to the alternator battery terminal it won't work.

View attachment 94769

Thanks ill try that tomorow

 

[jhncp]

It is not a 1 wire. It is a Delco Remy 10DN externally regulated alternator. It looks like the original DR regulator has been replaced with a little solid circuit one (the little box held by the upper right case screw.

To give the alternator a full field output test remove the plug from the back of the alternator. With the engine running at high idle, use a jumper wire to put power to the field (left) spade terminal. That should give full output from the alternator. You can monitor output with a voltmeter at the battery stud of the alternator. If the output goes up the alternator is good, the regulator is suspect. No increase in battery voltage, it is likely the alternator is shot.

You said to connect a jumper wire to the left terminal but my left one has a yellow wire and your picture says the field is green

 

[Jim.ME]

You said to connect a jumper wire to the left terminal but my left one has a yellow wire and your picture says the field is green

Sorry, my error, it should have said the right terminal. There should be a F above that spade terminal for Field.

 

[rvirgil_KS]

If it were mine, my solution would be to replace it with a Delco 10SI internal regulated unit. It should mount the same and wiring is not complicated. Could use either 3 wire or 1 wire configuration

 

[Eman85]

I would mount that alt. on the wall as an antique and put a internal regulator 10SI on. I'd wire to be a standard 3 wire alternator and use a diode or a light in the exciter circuit and get rid of all of the wiring you have including the toggle switch.

 

[jhncp]

Sorry, my error, it should have said the right terminal. There should be a F above that spade terminal for Field.

Thanks I held a powered wire to the field terminal and it worked. So I just A.A. engineered it with a wire and let it charge for a awhile and then turn toggle switch off.

 

[Jim.ME]

Thanks I held a powered wire to the field terminal and it worked. So I just A.A. engineered it with a wire and let it charge for a awhile and then turn toggle switch off.

You want to be careful doing that. If I am reading your meter correctly 21 volts is a bit high to be charging at. Did you have the toggle switch on previously? If it wasn't, the regulator would not have worked-- if it is any good.

 

[used red MN]

If I am reading your meter correctly 21 volts is a bit high to be charging at.

21 volts is how I am reading it as well. If that little red wire that came off the switch running up by the intake manifold is the main wire to the battery/solenoid etc. carrying the charge amperage it probably won’t take that charge rate for very long. I agree with Jim and others, get a 3 wire Delco 10si, wire it in properly and forget about that switch.

 

[jhncp]

You want to be careful doing that. If I am reading your meter correctly 21 volts is a bit high to be charging at. Did you have the toggle switch on previously? If it wasn't, the regulator would not have worked-- if it is any good.

15 volts

 

[used red MN]

15 volts

21DCV unless you know the meter reads incorrectly?

 

[Jim.ME]

15 volts

I am taking this to mean it reads 15 volts with the switch on and the regulator plugged in, which would mean the alternator and regulator are working. If I had to keep that set up for a while, I would move the toggle switch to the red wire which goes from the alternator post to the regulator and run a 10-gauge wire from the post on the alternator back to wherever the second wire on the toggle switch currently goes.

 

[Brown David]

rvirgil-KS and Eman85 have the right answer IMO.

 

[Jim.ME]

rvirgil-KS and Eman85 have the right answer IMO.

Which I have mentioned at least a couple times.