Update to Super C VR, and a new question

[710ltd2002]

I finally got back to adjust the voltage regulator on the Super C. This was the original post:

Thread 'Super C voltage regulator question'
https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/threads/super-c-voltage-regulator-question.1768290/

I tightened the spring tension on the relay that sends current to the field until it was sending 7.2 to 7.3 volts to the battery. With that adjustment, the other relay that sends current to the load stayed closed. I believe that means the engine is taking electricity from the generator and not the battery.

I am still concerned about the reading on the tractor’s ammeter. I had it idling about 75% speed for about 20 minutes while adjusting, and for another half hour driving around after the adjustment. The entire time, it always showed about a 2 amp discharge. That moved to 4 amp negative with the headlights on.

I cannot say for sure that the ammeter is wired correctly after all. I can dig into that another time. What I’m wondering is if I am correct in believing that the VR is directing current from the generator to the load, and the battery is not being drained, as the ammeter seems to suggest?

Dave

 

[rustred]

What is the voltage showing when it’s showing discharge ? The engine uses current from the battery whether or not the battery is charging. Not as you’re saying from the generator. Regulators are pretty finicky to get adjusted.

 

[710ltd2002]

With the engine warm and idling about 75% full speed, the volt meter connected to the battery posts reads 7.14 and runs up to 7.30 in about five seconds. Then it drops to 7.14 and rises again to 7.3. Over and over…. It appears that the Load side relay briefly opens at the 7.3 mark and then shuts again for the remainder of the cycle. I saw no change on the ammeter while this was happening.

It took about a dozen adjustments on the spring bracket to get it settled in this range.

Thanks for the input.
Dave

 

[Janicholson]

If you have it hooked up negative ground, it is charging and the gauge is backwards. if it is positive ground and you had the gauge set for negative ground it is backwards. I say this because it can work either way easily by polarizing the generator when the battery is connected and it is not running. Either way works! Turn on the lights with the engine off. if the gauge reads charging, the gauge is for sure backwards to the current battery ground. Jim

 

[used red MN]

With the engine warm and idling about 75% full speed, the volt meter connected to the battery posts reads 7.14 and runs up to 7.30 in about five seconds. Then it drops to 7.14 and rises again to 7.3. Over and over…. It appears that the Load side relay briefly opens at the 7.3 mark and then shuts again for the remainder of the cycle. I saw no change on the ammeter while this was happening.

It took about a dozen adjustments on the spring bracket to get it settled in this range.

Thanks for the input.
Dave

After this adjustment what did the battery voltage show when the lights are turned on? I am questioning the accuracy of your ammeter.

 

[used red MN]

If you have it hooked up negative ground, it is charging and the gauge is backwards. if it is positive ground and you had the gauge set for negative ground it is backwards. I say this because it can work either way easily by polarizing the generator when the battery is connected and it is not running. Either way works! Turn on the lights with the engine off. if the gauge reads charging, the gauge is for sure backwards to the current battery ground. Jim

JAN, in the previous post he linked on this subject, in reply 20, 710.. talks about the ammeter showing discharge readings with the headlights on. I doubt he changed the polarity between threads.

 

[710ltd2002]

After this adjustment what did the battery voltage show when the lights are turned on? I am questioning the accuracy of your ammeter.

The battery voltage stayed the same, running from7.1 up to 7.3 when the lights were on.

 

[Janicholson]

JAN, in the previous post he linked on this subject, in reply 20, 710.. talks about the ammeter showing discharge readings with the headlights on. I doubt he changed the polarity between threads.

If the generator output is connected to the wrong side of the ammeter, the gauge will only show discharge even when it is charging. One possibility. Jim

 

[used red MN]

If the generator output is connected to the wrong side of the ammeter, the gauge will only show discharge even when it is charging. One possibility. Jim

I agree.

 

[710ltd2002]

Yes it sure sounds like it is wired incorrectly. I rarely drove this tractor before i inherited it, but I really don’t recall the ammeter ever reading positive. I probably would not have noticed it if it had.

I don’t know how soon I will get back to it, but I will look it over and report.
Thanks to everyone for their help.
Dave

 

[used red MN]

Yes it sure sounds like it is wired incorrectly. I rarely drove this tractor before i inherited it, but I really don’t recall the ammeter ever reading positive. I probably would not have noticed it if it had.

I don’t know how soon I will get back to it, but I will look it over and report.
Thanks to everyone for their help.
Dave

Here is a link to an older YT post with a Farmall H diagram. It is showing a Hi/Lo charge system and a mag but it really doesn’t matter. The important part is that when wired correctly the terminal of the ammeter that has the wire feeding power to the system from the battery will only have that one wire on it. All other wires go on the opposite ammeter terminal. I am not sure how clear it is to visually see which wire that is coming into the electrical box. If need be disconnect all the wires from the meter and make sure they won’t touch anything or fold a flap of tape over them so you can still probe them to check for voltage.
Reconnect the battery and test for the one with voltage, that will be the one.
Post with H wiring diagram

 

[710ltd2002]

Here is a link to an older YT post with a Farmall H diagram. It is showing a Hi/Lo charge system and a mag but it really doesn’t matter. The important part is that when wired correctly the terminal of the ammeter that has the wire feeding power to the system from the battery will only have that one wire on it. All other wires go on the opposite ammeter terminal. I am not sure how clear it is to visually see which wire that is coming into the electrical box. If need be disconnect all the wires from the meter and make sure they won’t touch anything or fold a flap of tape over them so you can still probe them to check for voltage.
Reconnect the battery and test for the one with voltage, that will be the one.
Post with H wiring diagram

Thanks for that link. I have a couple old YT pages open with info on the ammeter wiring, and now that is one of them. It may be a couple weeks before I get back to it. As I recall, it was pretty easy to see the wiring once the battery is out of the way.
Dave