Slight Discharge

[Cmore]

My Super C shows a slight discharge at all times when running. I just put a brand new
battery in in and dont want it to run down. Where would be a good first place to look
to solve this problem? Thanks much for suggestions.

 

[naedlaen]

The generator will not provide enough power at an idle. As long as it shows + amps at higher rpms. You should be okay. My 460 shows a slight battery drain at idle, and I have had at least one battery last 7 years. You just need to run it long enough at enough rpms to charge the battery. Once the meter shows it charging and then at 0 amps, the battery is charged.

 

[Cmore]

It shows a slight discharge at all RPMs, slow or fast, all the time.

 

[Jim Becker]

The first thing to do is go through all the electrical connections and make sure they are clean and solidly connected. Pay particular attention to the GROUND connections of both the generator and the regulator.

I am assuming you have the original 6-volt system. If it has been modified or converted to an alternator system, the same things apply except you may not have a regluator separate from the generator/alternator.

 

[DR. EVIL]

Does the battery get enough of a charge that the tractor starts the next day without assistance? If so, the Amp meter is just registering a bit low.

 

[504]

Has the gauge been changed? has the tractor been converted to 12V? Is the battery hooked up right. Any of these things would make the gauge read backwards.

 

[Cmore]

Yes it doesit always fires right up on the first revelation! Even a month later.
Maybe its OK?

 

[SDE]

Check the voltage at the battery when the engine is running. That will tell you if it is charging or not.

 

[pete 23]

Question, do the lights work. If they do just turn them on before you start engine and if it shows discharge, you are hooked up properly. Wrong hookup at ammeter will show charge if it does not match the polarity of the battery ground. Same with turning on ignition if battery ign but it doesn't show up as easily as lights.

 

[riverbend]

Follow John T's troubleshooting tree. My guess is a bum voltage regulator.

 

[rustred]

ammeters do quite working. remove the ground cable off and on if tractor wants to stop its not charging. if it stays running change your gauge.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Like said check voltage at battery when running about half throttle it should read about 6.5-7.5 on 6 volt system and about 13-14.5 for a 12 volt system.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

(quoted from post at 14:27:20 07/11/22)
The generator will not provide enough power at an idle.

Sorry, but that is a load of hooey.

They don't provide a lot of power at idle but they do keep the needle on the charge side of the meter if everything is in good shape.

 

[Dave BN]

If it still has a generator try polarizing the generator. You do need to check battery voltage when running, that will tell you if it's charging or not.
Dave

 

[rustred]

sorry but ,..bull they do! at idle the needle is never in the charge side. you sure never ran these tractors.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

(quoted from post at 20:54:27 07/12/22) sorry but ,..bull they do! at idle the needle is never in the charge side. you sure never ran these tractors.

I have three of them, a 1951 Cub, a 1953 Super A and a 1953 Super H. All three run with the needle to the right of center at idle. Just barely, but they hold their own.

 

[Jim Becker]

(quoted from post at 09:41:30 07/13/22)

(quoted from post at 20:54:27 07/12/22) sorry but ,..bull they do! at idle the needle is never in the charge side. you sure never ran these tractors.

I have three of them, a 1951 Cub, a 1953 Super A and a 1953 Super H. All three run with the needle to the right of center at idle. Just barely, but they hold their own.

A '51 and 2 '53s. Those are all regulator systems. They have a reasonable chance of producing a little current at idle. I don't think I have ever seen one of the earlier cut-out systems charge at an idle.

A Super C would have a regulator system, not that it really matters to the original problem at this stage.

 

[rustred]

what you find out? is it charging?