Do I need a generator light to charge?

[Bama Johnny]

1965 135 with Z-145 Continental. SCM641015725
Had a grass fire last year and burned all the wiring, seat, steering wheel. Before the fire the generator worked flawlessly and kept the battery charged perfectly.
Replaced the voltage regulator and ran new wiring (field, generator, switched 12V) but the generator won't charge. I know the generator works because I can ground the field wire and get 38V to the battery.
One unused terminal on the regulator which is the L or light terminal.
My question is, does this tractor have to have a generator light to charge? I don't think it had one before.... Anyone have a schematic?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Bob NY]

I don't think a light is needed. Did you polarize the charging system?

 

[wore out]

1965 135 with Z-145 Continental. SCM641015725
Had a grass fire last year and burned all the wiring, seat, steering wheel. Before the fire the generator worked flawlessly and kept the battery charged perfectly.
Replaced the voltage regulator and ran new wiring (field, generator, switched 12V) but the generator won't charge. I know the generator works because I can ground the field wire and get 38V to the battery.
One unused terminal on the regulator which is the L or light terminal.
My question is, does this tractor have to have a generator light to charge? I don't think it had one before.... Anyone have a schematic?
Thanks in advance!

The "L" terminal CAN be used to feed power to the headlite switch, it is NOT for an indicator lamp.

As to the "38 Volts to the battery", did you actually have a "good" battery connected up?

Were you, by chance, using a digital meter that wasn't playing nice with the "noisy" tractor electrical system?