Alternator not charging

[LodgeJay]

Hoping you can help. The alternator is not charging. (no output from main terminal) The shop confirmed the Alt. is working properly. However, there were only a ground and white wire connected. I'm not sure it has ever worked since I had it. Schematic says there should be two additional wires one going from main output to pin 3 of Voltage regulator (I've connected the VR Pin 3 wire (blue in the picture) and therec should be one going from terminal ? on Alt. to Pin F on Voltage regulator. I've ordered a new regulator and will connect up the last missing wire, however I can not determine which terminal on the Alt to use the red one or the blue one. See Alt.Terminal picture.

Also had a component not in any circuit and not quite sure what it is. I thought the 1971 MF135 already came with an alt. as opposed to a generator so am clueless—any guesses. See Mystery picture.


MF135 - 1971 Alt. is an AC Delco A-142
THANK YOU!

 

[Gambles]

Is that a daily user or a museum piece?
If that tractor would be mine (and it is not ), I would replace that externally regulated Delco alternator with an Delco internally regulated alternator. The whole internally regulated alternator is probably cheaper to replace than just the external regulator. Plus the internal regulated alternator is simple to troubleshoot and they are available in any parts store.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

I agree 100%

 

[LodgeJay]

Is that a daily user or a museum piece?
If that tractor would be mine (and it is not ), I would replace that externally regulated Delco alternator with an Delco internally regulated alternator. The whole internally regulated alternator is probably cheaper to replace than just the external regulator. Plus the internal regulated alternator is simple to troubleshoot and they are available in any parts store.

So if I got a new alternator, I would not need the voltage regulator anymore? - The tractor is a working tractor now but hasn't been used in probably 6 years. I don't know if the alternator ever charged. seems like we were always having to charge the battery.

 

[Gambles]

So if I got a new alternator, I would not need the voltage regulator anymore?

Yep. The regulator is integrated inside the alternator. These internally-regulated alternators have some of the cheapest prices for a replacement.

 

[Jim.ME]

You would no longer need current external regulator. The new Delco Remy type alternators have internal regulators. You will need to do a bit of rewiring for the new alternator, but no more than would be needed to keep what you have.

 

[LodgeJay]

Thanks, I'll price it out. If I still wanted to fix what I have, what would you suggest? Do you think the red or the blue is the terminal to go back to the F on the regulator?

 

[Jim.ME]

Thanks, I'll price it out. If I still wanted to fix what I have, what would you suggest? Do you think the red or the blue is the terminal to go back to the F on the regulator?

First thing is to tell us what you are working on; you should do this every time you start a thread as we can't remember what tractor everyone has. Is this the MF 65 you have posted about before? Gas or diesel? Knowing what it is may reveal a wiring diagram for it. If it is the MF 65 do you have the MF Operator's Manual for it, which has the original wiring diagram as a starting point? I see you also mentioned a MF135, so what is it and do you have the manuals for this one.

If it is the MF 65, those were originally equipped with generators, so a wiring diagram from another tractor will need to be used. In this case a MF 135 with a Delco 10DN alternator, if you want to wire it as it should have been for a 10DN alternator and the external regulator required with that alternator. Attached are the wiring diagrams for the MF135 diesel and gas with the 10DN and a generic 10DN wiring diagram borrowed from the web.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

20 years ago I bought a new alternator from Autozone,
The smoke went out of it and Auto xone replaced it with no receipt.
It was on their computer. I like using the alternator with an idiot light.
The new alternators require you rev up the engine before they wake up and charge.
AutoZone stands behind their lifetime warranty.

 

[Dieseltech]

Hoping you can help. The alternator is not charging. (no output from main terminal) The shop confirmed the Alt. is working properly. However, there were only a ground and white wire connected. I'm not sure it has ever worked since I had it. Schematic says there should be two additional wires one going from main output to pin 3 of Voltage regulator (I've connected the VR Pin 3 wire (blue in the picture) and therec should be one going from terminal ? on Alt. to Pin F on Voltage regulator. I've ordered a new regulator and will connect up the last missing wire, however I can not determine which terminal on the Alt to use the red one or the blue one. See Alt.Terminal picture.View attachment 120023

Also had a component not in any circuit and not quite sure what it is. I thought the 1971 MF135 already came with an alt. as opposed to a generator so am clueless—any guesses. See Mystery picture.
View attachment 120024

MF135 - 1971 Alt. is an AC Delco A-142
THANK YOU!

The WICO box in the picture is used for the GREEN BACKLIGHT on all the dash gauges when the lights are on.

 

[LodgeJay]

First thing is to tell us what you are working on; you should do this every time you start a thread as we can't remember what tractor everyone has. Is this the MF 65 you have posted about before? Gas or diesel? Knowing what it is may reveal a wiring diagram for it. If it is the MF 65 do you have the MF Operator's Manual for it, which has the original wiring diagram as a starting point? I see you also mentioned a MF135, so what is it and do you have the manuals for this one.

If it is the MF 65, those were originally equipped with generators, so a wiring diagram from another tractor will need to be used. In this case a MF 135 with a Delco 10DN alternator, if you want to wire it as it should have been for a 10DN alternator and the external regulator required with that alternator. Attached are the wiring diagrams for the MF135 diesel and gas with the 10DN and a generic 10DN wiring diagram borrowed from the web.

View attachment 120036View attachment 120035 View attachment 120038

Hello, Sorry I wasn't clear. I have a MF 135 gas 3 cylinder. I've had problems before with my netral safety switch and know that they are common, so asked that under the MF 65 post. With my tractor, It's unknown what has been replaced over the years and what was original. The wiring, I think, like most old tractors, is a rat's nest.
Also, to complicate things, I don't know much and am trying to learn. I'm using the same gas sch. you've shown above.
Based on the last image it looks like RED line in my altenator picture should be to point F on the voltge Regulator and the Blue line in my picture should go to point "2" on voltage regulator. Is that correct? I can not read the markings on the alternator, they are worn off. The alternator on this tractor hangs off the side and is exposed to the rain. I guess 50 plus years of weather has obliterated the markings.
I appreciate your help with this.

 

[Hobo,NC]

First thing is to tell us what you are working on; you should do this every time you start a thread as we can't remember what tractor everyone has. Is this the MF 65 you have posted about before? Gas or diesel? Knowing what it is may reveal a wiring diagram for it. If it is the MF 65 do you have the MF Operator's Manual for it, which has the original wiring diagram as a starting point? I see you also mentioned a MF135, so what is it and do you have the manuals for this one.

If it is the MF 65, those were originally equipped with generators, so a wiring diagram from another tractor will need to be used. In this case a MF 135 with a Delco 10DN alternator, if you want to wire it as it should have been for a 10DN alternator and the external regulator required with that alternator. Attached are the wiring diagrams for the MF135 diesel and gas with the 10DN and a generic 10DN wiring diagram borrowed from the web.

View attachment 120036View attachment 120035 View attachment 120038

For automotive stock wiring Delco 10DN conversion to 10SI use a 10SI connector at the alt and at the regulator remove the regulator connector jump F to 3 and 2 to 4 you are in businesses. You do not have to be considered with jumping it correctly just jump the outer connector to the 3rd one in from either direction.

 

[Jim.ME]

Hello, Sorry I wasn't clear. I have a MF 135 gas 3 cylinder. I've had problems before with my netral safety switch and know that they are common, so asked that under the MF 65 post. With my tractor, It's unknown what has been replaced over the years and what was original. The wiring, I think, like most old tractors, is a rat's nest.
Also, to complicate things, I don't know much and am trying to learn. I'm using the same gas sch. you've shown above.
Based on the last image it looks like RED line in my altenator picture should be to point F on the voltge Regulator and the Blue line in my picture should go to point "2" on voltage regulator. Is that correct? I can not read the markings on the alternator, they are worn off. The alternator on this tractor hangs off the side and is exposed to the rain. I guess 50 plus years of weather has obliterated the markings.
I appreciate your help with this.

The R and F spade terminals are in the same location on all 10DN alternators, as there was a two-pole connector that plugged in to them originally. I think you can still get the pigtail from some parts stores. The picture below shows the markings. Yes, your red line goes to F (field) on the regulator and your blue line goes to the #2 terminal ("reference", voltage sensing) on the regulator.

If you decide to restore the use of this 10DN alternator parts stores can get the proper two-pole connectors for them. The Standard Motor Products brand part number is HP-4220.

 

[LodgeJay]

The R and F spade terminals are in the same location on all 10DN alternators, as there was a two-pole connector that plugged in to them originally. I think you can still get the pigtail from some parts stores. The picture below shows the markings. Yes, your red line goes to F (field) on the regulator and your blue line goes to the #2 terminal ("reference", voltage sensing) on the regulator.

If you decide to restore the use of this 10DN alternator parts stores can get the proper two-pole connectors for them. The Standard Motor Products brand part number is HP-4220.


View attachment 120055

I had already ordered the Voltge Regulator so will try using the existing parts.
Thank you so much Jim. Will let you know how things go.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Go to the junkyard and find an old late 60or early 70's GM vehicle and get the regulator plug from it and the plug from the alternator and you will have the wire color and apprproriate plugs for probably next to nothing in parts. then just connect the wires to the plugs either anycolor or color coded as it was originally.

 

[wore out]

I had already ordered the Voltge Regulator so will try using the existing parts.
Thank you so much Jim. Will let you know how things go.

Here is a simple was to wire up the 10DN alternator and external voltage regulator you've ordered.

 

[joeysmith]

Sounds like the water feature should incorporate a motion water cannon to keep them at bay
Odd this posted to the wrong tread
Disregard
Lol

 

[Jim.ME]

Sounds like the water feature should incorporate a motion water cannon to keep them at bay
Odd this posted to the wrong tread
Disregard
Lol

Most likely operator error.

 

[Ray,IN]

Sounds like the water feature should incorporate a motion water cannon to keep them at bay
Odd this posted to the wrong tread
Disregard
Lol

Reply #12.

 

[buickanddeere]

A three wire Delco does not slow drain the battery . It also charges without having to rev the engine to nearly redline to self excite.