JD 60 Generator Problems

[GregA]

Well John I bit the bullet and got a VR from JD as NAPA was almost as much $ and I would have to wait 4-5 days and with a chance of plowable snow this weekend I need the tractor.
Cleaned up all the wire ends and generator case under the new VR before installing, polorized the generator prior to starting (figured it couldn't hurt). Started tractor and ampmeter showed charging then after running for a minute or so the ampmeter needle started jumping to discharge, if I turned the switch off and back on quick the needle would go back to charging (volt meter read 14.5 volts at the battery when ampmeter showed charging) also noticed some spuratic sparking inside the generator when the needle was bouncing around. This went on for +/- 5 minutes then everything seemed to stabilized and I continued to read 14.5 volts at the battery even with the lights on.
Is it possible that the eratic charging at the beginning was caused by the generator not working properly for some time or do I still have a potential probblem.

 

[John T]

Darn if I know, I hope it wasn"t just that the gennys commutator was carboned or greasy or dirty or the brushes worn a bit too low?????? (or the commutator segments need undercut) Just in case Id give the gennys commutator a good cleaning so its bright n shiny copper looking and snap open n close the brush hold down springys to exercise them. On new VR"s I"ve seen them where it takes a while to "wash" the contacts to where they settle in and work better. Other then that DO NOTHING for a while just let her work and settle in.....

Youre getting there

John T

 

[GregA]

I was hoping it it was just the contacts cleaning up. I have seen that arcing in the generator for a short time on my 630 after sitting through the winter.
I want to thank you again for all of your help.

 

[Husker44A]

Greg, I agree with John as for the contacts probably need to be polished a little. Even tho Good Ol John T is sharper then a razor not much gets past him !!!

 

[gtx1967jewison]

If it's a working tractor, do yourself a favor & get an alternator on it. Generators are no longer used for good reason.

 

[Carlyle hoffman]

A while back i posted same secondary prob, after comp gen rebuild. Did exactly as yours. Shut tractor off, re polarized and no more erratic needle, steady as a rock. Your guess is as good as mine, works great. PS: Its electrical , what can i tell you.