Farmall A charging system?

[Jeff Strange]

I want to restore a 46 " Farmall a to original condition. It's missing the generator and wiring but has a 4 position light switch. Does the battery charging occur only when the lights are on period , either low or high?

 

[wore out]

I want to restore a 46 " Farmall a to original condition. It's missing the generator and wiring but has a 4 position light switch. Does the battery charging occur only when the lights are on period , either low or high?

With the switch max CCW the generator is at low charge.

First notch CW bumps up the charge rate. Next two positions with lights "ON" are at the higher charging rate, as well.

 

[Janicholson]

I want to restore a 46 " Farmall a to original condition. It's missing the generator and wiring but has a 4 position light switch. Does the battery charging occur only when the lights are on period , either low or high?

Welcome to YT forums and ASAP parts.
The light switch with 4 positions has, from full CCW turning CW, Low charge "L" then High charge "H", then Low Lights and High Charge "D", then bright lights and High charge "B". The light switch has two internal circuits. The lights are one, and that part is supplied with fused 6v, and has a resistor that dims the lights on "D", and sends full voltage to the lights on "B". The generator is the other part of the switch, it is used to ground the generators field circuit. The field gets electricity from inside the generator and depends on grounding to allow it to make enough voltage to charge the battery/run the lights. The ground is through the switch body to the electrical box, then to the steering post, then to the tractor platform. These grounds are often rusty and not usable unless the components are taken apart and cleaned to shiny metal then put together again. A non-original ground wire can be used to create this ground from the tractor frame, to the electrical box, but there is no closed location for it. If you want a restore it to original, make sure of this ground. For good understanding of the system, look for info on Delco "A" circuit generators. Jim

 

[Jeff Strange]

Thanks for the input guys. Ive looked around and found all kinds of rabbit holes to go down on generators ,regulators and cut outs. Im restoring a 46" model a farmall. It has no generator or wiring. In addition to my first post regarding charging. Can anyone advise me on what generator and suitable cutout relay or VR to put on the tractor ? I want to keep it as original as possible. At least in appearance.

 

[Janicholson]

info/parts diagrams
The link will take you to a Farmall A set of parts diagrams. In the link boxes choose electrical systems. in the next box choose what you want to see, and part numbers are to the right. You will need a wiring diagram, though it is simple. A repair manual is a good investment, This site sells them! Jim