Generator Help

[Mr Mayor]

I have a 49 C with three brush generator/cutout relay/4 position light switch. I completely rebuilt the generator and it motors like a charm. I have checked and rechecked the wiring and it is correct. I polarized before starting by jumping BAT to GEN on the cutout (the points in the cutout closed momentarily when I did this). I checked all ground connections with a quality multi meter and they are good. The ammeter shows slight discharge when running and more when the lights are on. My old IH manual gives me two tests when running. The first is a ground check of the switch / still no charge, the second is bypassing the cutout by jumping GEN to BAT. When I do this the cutout points close and the ammeter shows a DISCHARGE of around 9 amps. I can also close the points manually without the jumper in place and I get the same 9 amp discharge. Things seem to point to the generator, no? What am I missing?

 

[John T]

For an in depth explanation and troubleshooting consult my Troubleshooting link below. In a nutshell ifffffffffff dead grounding the gennys FLD post makes her charge but it does NOT otherwise, that tells me the genny is okay so the problem may be the Low High manual charge control light switch IS NOT WELL GROUNDED orrrrrrr the wire/circuit is open between FLD on the Genny and the light switch orrrrrrrrrr the light switch is bad

The second test you describe only tests if the relay is closing or not NOT functioning of the low high switch or good grounding and operation of the switch.

I theres NO charge even with FLD post on genny dead grounded and the relay by passed, then I suspect the genny is at fault. Try the tests in my Troubleshooting procedure especially grounding the gennys FLD see what happens

Take two aspirins and call me at the office

John T
John Ts Troubleshooting

 

[boler76]

so what is the battery voltage when you get 9 amp discharge? if it goes up even slightly your ammeter is reversed??

 

[560Dennis]

I agree

 

[Mr Mayor]

Thank you for the link John. I did all the tests and was coming up empty until I jumped the cutout with a field ground to the battery. When I did this without that ground in place the points would stay in only as long as the jumper was in place and it would show discharge. With the good ground the points pulled in on their own and opened when I shut it down and the gauge actually showed a charge. What I don't understand is why the ohmmeter showed continuity between all ground points. I guess it's time to take some things apart and scrape some more paint. Geoff

 

[Mr Mayor]

Help John T.!!!
Back to square one, got a little charge for a while but now discharges hard with points closed. I installed a generator from another tractor and all works perfectly. So, my rebuilt (by me) generator seems to be the problem. It passes the motoring test?
Is there any other test that I can do?? Geoff

 

[Pembroke]

Are the brushes clean and the area where the brushes ride clean> I've had to, while running, slide a real FINE piece of sand paper in there and clean that area and the genny went to charging. May not be the right way but it worked for me. Pembroke