Electrical problem

[Del Huebner]

1950 8N side mount distributor. Generator just back from shop, tested good. Installed and connected wiring, polarized. Started engine and it charged 10 amp for about 30 seconds then nothing. Installed a new regulator that I had and same thing, charge about 30 seconds and then nothing. Can someone help me with this.

 

[rvirgil_KS]

1950 8N side mount distributor. Generator just back from shop, tested good. Installed and connected wiring, polarized. Started engine and it charged 10 amp for about 30 seconds then nothing. Installed a new regulator that I had and same thing, charge about 30 seconds and then nothing. Can someone help me with this.

Was battery well charged before you started it? If so it should only take a short time to replace energy used to start tractor and amp gauge needle will drop down to just above center 0. What is voltage across battery posts when it appears to stop charging?

 

[Btzj02]

I assume you know it isn't charging by looking at your amp meter? If you have a volt meter set it to Volts DC. Test post to post voltage of the battery. When the tractor is off and when it is running at mid throttle. If the generator and regulator are working correctly the measured voltage between the battery posts should go up when the tractor is running regardless of what the amp meter reads. Also test the voltage at the generator output terminal when you think it is and is not charging. If generator is good it will be indicating voltage in both cases. Check and clean all wire terminals but in my limited experience I would not trust a cheap new regulator. I finally purchased a good regulator from an auto electronics shop. The price was double that of the cheap regulators. No problems since.

 

[Del Huebner]

Was battery well charged before you started it? If so it should only take a short time to replace energy used to start tractor and amp gauge needle will drop down to just above center 0. What is voltage across battery posts when it appears to stop charging?

Right at 6 volts

 

[Del Huebner]

I assume you know it isn't charging by looking at your amp meter? If you have a volt meter set it to Volts DC. Test post to post voltage of the battery. When the tractor is off and when it is running at mid throttle. If the generator and regulator are working correctly the measured voltage between the battery posts should go up when the tractor is running regardless of what the amp meter reads. Also test the voltage at the generator output terminal when you think it is and is not charging. If generator is good it will be indicating voltage in both cases. Check and clean all wire terminals but in my limited experience I would not trust a cheap new regulator. I finally purchased a good regulator from an auto electronics shop. The price was double that of the cheap regulators. No problems since.

After the short charge the needle flutters a lot and then sharply drops back to "0"

 

[Jim L WA]

It sounds to me like you don't have a problem, that all is well. If the ammeter sits at zero all the time or if you see a slight negative reading while the tractor is running, then worry.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

It seems odd that the battery would not be charging at 6 volts, doesn't it? That is barely a 40% of fully charged!

 

[Btzj02]

After the short charge the needle flutters a lot and then sharply drops back to "0"

Tap on the regulator with the handle of a screw driver. Changes?

 

[Del Huebner]

Looks like I am not getting voltage from the generator. Voltmeter reads less than 1 volt from ground to armature.

Tap on the regulator with the handle of a screw driver. Changes?

No change.

 

[Jim.ME]

Try running a jumper wire from the regulator battery terminal direct to the battery and run it while monitoring the battery voltage. The jumper will bypass the other wiring that might have a problem.

Take the generator and regulator to the shop and have them hook it up and run it to see what it does.

 

[Eman85]

Ammeter isn't going to show anything once the battery charges back from the starter draw until you put a drain on the system. Put a voltmeter on the battery with the tractor off and get a reading. Now start the tractor and get a reading.

 

[old]

1950 8N side mount distributor. Generator just back from shop, tested good. Installed and connected wiring, polarized. Started engine and it charged 10 amp for about 30 seconds then nothing. Installed a new regulator that I had and same thing, charge about 30 seconds and then nothing. Can someone help me with this.

Check your battery voltage when not running and then check it running. Not running you should have 6.3 volts give or take a point ot 2. Running you should read more then the not running test you did. Most will read around 7 volts give or take

 

[Del Huebner]

Running or not it is right at 6 volts.

 

[Non-farmer]

As Harry pointed out...

 

[Btzj02]

Running or not it is right at 6 volts.

When the tractor is running what is the voltage reading at the generator output terminal? If this reads 7 volts and the battery still reads 6 volts the problem is between the generator and the battery. Assuming all wires are good and terminals are clean and tight this indicates the regulator is not doing its job.

 

[Del Huebner]

As Harry pointed out...

View attachment 129371

Very Good. Thank You!!!!!

When the tractor is running what is the voltage reading at the generator output terminal? If this reads 7 volts and the battery still reads 6 volts the problem is between the generator and the battery. Assuming all wires are good and terminals are clean and tight this indicates the regulator is not doing its job.

1 volt. so it must be the generator.

 

[Eman85]

Running or not it is right at 6 volts.

Then you need to charge the battery