what is the difference ?

[james in mo]

between a voltage reg. or cut out relay. and how do you tell them a part? i think i have a reg. but not shure, it mount on top of the geny and it looks like a reg. you can buy at tsc.

 

[CNKS]

You may have to remove the cover. I started to say that a cutout relay had 3 terminals, and a regulator 4, but my parts book disputed that. But, the difference, or at least my understanding of the difference is that a cutout relay is either on or off, that is it either charges or not. A voltage regulator regulates the voltage. Thus the LHDB (low charge, high charge, dim, bright) on the cutout relay switch and the ODB (off, dim, bright) on the voltage regulator equipped tractors. The light switch on voltage regulator equipped tractors has nothing to do with charging, it is simply a light switch. In general, post 1949 IH tractors will have a distributer and voltage regulator. Pre 1949 will have a magneto and cutout relay. Magnetos were standard until sometime in 1949, distributers after that. Someone correct me. A magneto continued to be an option until 19??. Distributers were an option beginning in 19??. Usually the cutout relay, not the voltage regulator is mounted on the generator -- there are probably exceptions to this also, along with everything else I said.

 

[Anonymous-0]

My 49 C had a relay and distributor. Both my M's a 48 and 50 both had distibutors and relays. My 53 Super C has a regulator and the 3 position switch on it, as well as my number series tractors. I have no clue when these were changed in production this is just whats on mine.

 

[CNKS]

Yes, I said "and everything else I said". I have a 48 C with distributer and relay, but I'm not sure the distributer is original. From what I said it should have a magneto and relay. The relay is on the generator. My 50 C and 53 Super A, both definitely factory, have distributers with the voltage regulator mounted below the generator. Most of the year/how equipped stuff I got from a discussion a couple? of years ago, that I believe Guy Fay entered into. All models were not changed at the same time. Might explain why my early 50 C has a distributer and VR, while your 50 M has a distributer and relay.

 

[Anonymous-0]

That is kinda what I figured as they would have used up whatever they had. I am not certain about the C as I bought it well used, my very first tractor. The 48 M belonged to a neighbor that bought it new and my uncle bought the 50 M new and both of those had the relay and distributor on them.

 

[Owen Aaland]

If the field terminal wire (F post on gen) goes to the control box on the generator it is a regulator. If it goes to the light switch it is a cut off switch.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The way I understand it, CNKS is basicly correct, A cutout is half of a volatge regulator, Or to say it another way, A voltage regulator is a more sophisticated cutout. The cutout merely shuts off the voltage produced by the generator when it reaches a certain voltage whereas the voltage regulator tapers off the charge as the battery recharges and the system reaches equalibrium.