Stuck at home blues

[Bern]

Being stuck at home makes a guy do some pretty weird things. Here's my latest project. I'm dialing in a generator regulator for my 6000. Because I want this tractor to be as original as possible, I'm not going to convert it over to an alternator, which is the first thing I'd do if I wasn't restoring the tractor.

Even though I'm striving for originality, I think I'm going to ditch the "2 unit" voltage regulator in favor of a 3 unit like the 5000 tractors had. The 2 unit combines the voltage and current regulators into one coil, whereas the 3 unit separates them out. I have found that it's very difficult to get the 2 unit style adjusted even remotely close for both voltage and current specs.

Adjusting the 3 unit regulator is no picnic either. The adjustments are extremely sensitive, and I found it difficult to not go either too high or too low with the adjustments. I finally got her dialed in to 14.0 volts and 27 amps output. Now if it will just repeat that same performance tomorrow!

In the pic you can see a variable speed test bench with a 1HP motor. I let the system run for about 20 minutes first with a 15-amp load to get everything warmed up to operating temp. I then apply excess load with the box full of light bulbs to set the current regulator. After that, I remove the load completely and let the voltage stabilize to adjust the voltage setting.

You can also see that I have an oscilloscope hooked up to look at the output waveform. I had two different generators to try; one had a very dirty and worn commutator, and the other had a good clean one. It could be clearly seen on the scope.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 23:03:37 04/03/20) Being stuck at home makes a guy do some pretty weird things. Here's my latest project. I'm dialing in a generator regulator for my 6000. Because I want this tractor to be as original as possible, I'm not going to convert it over to an alternator, which is the first thing I'd do if I wasn't restoring the tractor.

Even though I'm striving for originality, I think I'm going to ditch the "2 unit" voltage regulator in favor of a 3 unit like the 5000 tractors had. The 2 unit combines the voltage and current regulators into one coil, whereas the 3 unit separates them out. I have found that it's very difficult to get the 2 unit style adjusted even remotely close for both voltage and current specs.

Adjusting the 3 unit regulator is no picnic either. The adjustments are extremely sensitive, and I found it difficult to not go either too high or too low with the adjustments. I finally got her dialed in to 14.0 volts and 27 amps output. Now if it will just repeat that same performance tomorrow!

In the pic you can see a variable speed test bench with a 1HP motor. I let the system run for about 20 minutes first with a 15-amp load to get everything warmed up to operating temp. I then apply excess load with the box full of light bulbs to set the current regulator. After that, I remove the load completely and let the voltage stabilize to adjust the voltage setting.

You can also see that I have an oscilloscope hooked up to look at the output waveform. I had two different generators to try; one had a very dirty and worn commutator, and the other had a good clean one. It could be clearly seen on the scope.




<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto10683.jpg">

ool!

 

[Tom in Mo.]

Nice setup. I once had a Ferguson TO30 generator 6 volt rebuilt and the fella at the counter said he tweaked the voltage regulator for me in order to charge the battery better.
It worked except the battery boiled dry! I don't recommend tweaking it over factory specs.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I have basically the same set up if I can ever get the back of my storage building (old shop) cleaned up I would like to learn how to do that... : )

My charging/starter tester was being held for ransom by my BIL he passed I got it back last year...

 

[Dean]

Good work, Bern.

AS you no doubt know, adjusting a vibrating contact VR is largely a lost art.

Dean

 

[Bern]

I bet it made the lights nice and bright too, for a while anyway.

 

[hurleyjd]

Her is a link to some alternators that look like generators forany one with the money that wants the original look. Big bucks required
alternators posing as a generater

 

[Bern]

First time I had even tried. Up until this time, if a VR was charging too high, I would just replace the thing.

The unit I adjusted had metal tabs that you bent to adjust. It was not easy finding that sweet spot. I can certainly see why solid state voltage regulators became the norm for alternators.

 

[Bern]

I just did another test today. I did not disturb anything since yesterday. Current setting is still good at 27 amps max. Open circuit voltage is only 13.3 now. These mechanical regulators are finicky devices.