Generator versus alternator

[Phil Tibbetts]

I've just got to get this off my chest.....Why in this day and age is anyone still messing with a generator When less than $40 will get you an alternator and for $15 you can get a Volt meter that in my view is far better than an amp meter. I'd like to see some discussion on this, good or bad.

 

[old]

Not sure where you get your prices but the last alternator I got cost me over $50. As for a volt meter or amp meter to me both say it is either charging or not charging

 

[Phil Tibbetts]

Maybe they have gone up but last fall I bought 2 of the Denso type on flea bay for less than $40 including shipping. I like the volt meter because when you turn on the switch you can can see the condition of the battery and as soon as you start the tractor you see it start charging.

 

[old]

I don't buy any thing on Flea bay I use an O'Reilly's auto parts tore where I have a life time warranty

 

[steve19438]

for me the fact that I use my machines so little there is no reason to switch to 12V. as far as the volt or amp meter I figure a dead battery means something is not working right

 

[Eric in IL]

I kinda like the generator on my 65. I think it has given very good service over the last 55 years. It has been cleaned up and possibly had new brushes installed about 1995 by one of the good ole boys who has since passed. That is the only service I can remember in all those years. Batteries in that tractor always last at least 7 years. No special treatment, never charge the battery in the winter.

If the generator fails I'll probably pursue fixing it. Hate to toss it aside after it has been so good to me.

I'll agree that the ampere gauge is kinda worthless. The only time I would look at it is when I'd turn on the lights to see if the voltage regulator felt like working. Problem is that the gauge has no back light, so when you need the lights you can't see the gauge.

The system has given so little trouble in 55 years that I never look at the ampere gauge anyway. If there is a charging problem, I'll catch on soon enough.

 

[miner09]

One reason people stay with a generator is to keep it original for show tractors. I keep all my tractors with generators. If it has a alternator I take it off. If you rebuild the generator and a new regulator it works just fine. All mine works like they should. They were used for years before alternator came out. There's just no one that can rebuild a generator these days. That's why most people don't like them.But if your just using a tractor for a work tractor then I don't see no reason not to go to a alternator.I have a TO35 Ferguson work tractor that still has the generator and it gives no trouble.

 

[rvirgil_KS]

The primary reason to keep a generator is for originality. Reading responses on this site indicates to me that the majority of problems are not with the generator but with finding a reliable replacement regulator.

For the price of a regulator you can buy a reliable internal regulated alternator and have greater reliability, simple troubleshooting with all in one case, and increased capacity to handle more lights or electronic equipment.

Ammeter and voltmeter give different info regarding the charge system. When understood they can both be a valuable indicator and troubleshooting aid for the electric system.

All my tractors are 12 volt, negative ground, with 3 wire alternators. 3 have ammeters (they all came that way and they work) and 2 have charge indicator ?idiot lights?. They both came from the factory that way and a 3 wire alternator maintains their function.

It all comes down to personal preference. If it works and you understand it and how to maintain it that is what it is all about.

 

[Bob N.Y.]

I have 2 Massey Ferguson gas tractors with the tach driven from the generator and there is a top notch starter, generator, alternator man 10 miles from here. I'm keeping the generators!

 

[rustred]

why... because I like my tractors original. nothing hard about a generator not much different to work on than alternator. it is probably the regulator that gets people disgusted. I even like the sound of a 6 volt system starting. mine start in about 2 or 3 turns. i got a W9 mccormick that cranks over very easy with 6 volts and starts on 3rd crank. has working generator and lights also. just cant stand a 6 volt starter clashing into the ring gear with 12 volts on it. plus most conversions I have seen are a mess and people make there own problems.

 

[Bret4207]

(quoted from post at 21:26:44 06/18/19) I have 2 Massey Ferguson gas tractors with the tach driven from the generator and there is a top notch starter, generator, alternator man 10 miles from here. I'm keeping the generators!

Yup, same here. I keep the gen on the Massey 65 for the tach drive. Outside of that, I slap a Delco 10si on anything I can when the charging system goes down. A working Delco 10si costs less than a decent voltage regulator for a generator system these days, and that's not counting the generator cost.

Whereabouts are you located Bob?

 

[Aaron Ford]

I use an alternator because my generator was in such sad shape. I used a Mitsubishi alternator because of the smaller size. It fits in the brackets of the old generator. My tractor meter was also trashed so going electronic tach was an easy step. It charges like crazy. Lights are bright and I have even used it to jump my diesel. I wanted to stay with the generator for originality but with the smaller Mitsu, no one really notices (or at least, mentions it).

Aaron

 

[FullPullLarry]

I used to fiddle with charging originality too. Then one day years ago my Bobcat stopped charging. Yeah a GM 1-wire for $75 had me up and running versus the stock alternator for many times that. Since then if something uses a V-belt and needs an alternator it gets a GM 1-wire. Sometimes I wire it with a sense wire at the junction block but really thats only if you have a lot of electronic load. For most applications you can just run the one wire and run a dedicated ground for good measure and you're good for years. My MF35 has some sort of a modern alternator from the previous owner - looks like a 1-wire but I haven't taken a look at it...not gonna complain if it still charges ok. The real challenge now is finding a voltmeter for my dash instead of the factor ammeter.

 

[BIG1RED9]

I am going to be dealing with this soon. Is there a tach drive alternator that will run the cable tachometer accurately or is a generator the only way to go?

 

[John Deere D]

Search ebay for AKT0005...


or right here on "YT" parts....as per pictures....

Bob...

 

[BIG1RED9]

What is the proper pulley to make sure the revolutions are correct?

Thank you,
Don

 

[ptfarmer]

You would have to use the same diameter pulley that the generator has on it. The pulley on the generator may work on the alternator.

 

[BIG1RED9]

(reply to post at 15:23:17 06/23/19)

I don't know that size - I am starting with an alt not a gen.

Thanks,
Don

 

[processhead]

I would stick with the stock charging system if you felt maintaining originally was important.

It is hard to beat an alternator though for simplicity, ease of installation and maintenance. An alternator with an internal regulator simplifies the tractor wiring and are generally pretty trouble free.

Most alternators will charge at a higher rate than a generator, but that is seldom important for a tractor with very few electrical accessories.

 

[Kilgor]

I just received a new alternator from Rarelectric for $107 plus tax. Fit perfectly on my MF175 diesel, but I'm having issues with the wiring already.

It cranked when I first installed it, but the next morning my battery was drained. Charged the battery and the next day, I can't get the tractor to turn over. Hmmmm, something is amiss. Now I'm trying to figure out what may have shorted out and doesn't work anymore. Tried finding a MF175 wiring diagram online and can't seem to find one that is true to factory specs.

Any ideas? Will a wiring diagram for a MF135 be the same as a MF175?

 

[mike837ch]

My preference is to rebuild the entire electrical system; 12V negative ground, fresh wiring, convert to an alternator with separate electronic regulator, voltmeter, fresh ballast resistor for the ignition system, fresh bulbs...

5 Years of no trouble from the electrics after that!

I take my toys out and play with them in the fields. Its a long walk back to the barn for another tractor and a chain.

But I totally respect the folks who want to keep their machines as original as possible.