Well, I went out to play with the old tractor a little the other day and it fired right up after I charged the battery.
It ran well for a few hours then I started having to keep it idled up to run. After a few hours of playing I shut it down and it would not spin over to start back up. After a little sitting, it cranked and continued to run poorly. I finally parked it (getting dark) and went out yesterday to play some more. Ran fine for a while and then started having to idle it up. Same thing today and for giggles I checked the battery voltage and the darn thing don't seem to be charging. Apparently I have just been running off battery power for 3 days
So I break out the books and meter and I definitely ain't charging. One thing I thought was odd was I got a spark at the battery cable when I put the negative back on today. Yes this still has positive ground.
I know that I can ground the field and apply 6 volts to the arm to make it tun as a motor to check the generator. Most I've seen had a F and A stamped in the case but I can not find it on this one. Which is which?
As it sits now, the generator is on the opposite side of the engine than the starter. The wire on the top post closest to the engine is actually UNDER the post grounding itself out and the nuts on the post are seized by years of rust. The wire next to it appears to be ok and the wire on the back appears to be ok. If I attach my meter to ground I do not get any voltage at any of these wires. There is continuity on each of these wires with the other end at the regulator. If I attach my meter to the battery with the tractor running, I only read battery voltage (6.2v-6.4v ish).
I've got a new wire harness but have not installed it. My tractor was rewired at some point since 1949 and I'm having issues figuring out which end of the new harness goes towards the front of the tractor. It does not appear to even be close to what I currently have. I also do not currently have an ammeter installed on my tractor.
Anyways, what's a good start to troubleshooting my generator not generating issues? Pics would be more than helpful.
It ran well for a few hours then I started having to keep it idled up to run. After a few hours of playing I shut it down and it would not spin over to start back up. After a little sitting, it cranked and continued to run poorly. I finally parked it (getting dark) and went out yesterday to play some more. Ran fine for a while and then started having to idle it up. Same thing today and for giggles I checked the battery voltage and the darn thing don't seem to be charging. Apparently I have just been running off battery power for 3 days
So I break out the books and meter and I definitely ain't charging. One thing I thought was odd was I got a spark at the battery cable when I put the negative back on today. Yes this still has positive ground.
I know that I can ground the field and apply 6 volts to the arm to make it tun as a motor to check the generator. Most I've seen had a F and A stamped in the case but I can not find it on this one. Which is which?
As it sits now, the generator is on the opposite side of the engine than the starter. The wire on the top post closest to the engine is actually UNDER the post grounding itself out and the nuts on the post are seized by years of rust. The wire next to it appears to be ok and the wire on the back appears to be ok. If I attach my meter to ground I do not get any voltage at any of these wires. There is continuity on each of these wires with the other end at the regulator. If I attach my meter to the battery with the tractor running, I only read battery voltage (6.2v-6.4v ish).
I've got a new wire harness but have not installed it. My tractor was rewired at some point since 1949 and I'm having issues figuring out which end of the new harness goes towards the front of the tractor. It does not appear to even be close to what I currently have. I also do not currently have an ammeter installed on my tractor.
Anyways, what's a good start to troubleshooting my generator not generating issues? Pics would be more than helpful.
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