Ford 8N - Electrical problem. No juice and ammeter buried into negative side.

[Soundguy]

Yes. Positive ground 6V battery.

Yes. Pulled the cable off the negative lead of the battery and the tractor ran fine off the generator.

i would not have done that. ie.. pulled the lead off.

actually invalidates the test.

also.. why the 3' jumper running to the starter.

do you notice there is a ground post 1" from the field post?

 

[tmac196]

i would not have done that. ie.. pulled the lead off.

actually invalidates the test.

also.. why the 3' jumper running to the starter.

do you notice there is a ground post 1" from the field post?

The battery cable was only removed after the test had been completed to see if the generator was functioning as it should. All of the results posted were performed in the usual state. My question is what is interpretable from the tests?

 

[Soundguy]

1, it is not adviseable to unload a genny or alternator by running it sans battery.

your genny appears to work fine if it will make charge when full fielded, and will motor with the field grounded and bat to arm, chassis grounded.

 

[94BULLITT]

The battery cable was only removed after the test had been completed to see if the generator was functioning as it should. All of the results posted were performed in the usual state. My question is what is interpretable from the tests?

I think the generator is fine but pull it off and the regulator and it to a shop and have them tested.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I think so too.. Is why I questioned the vreg and wiring...

 

[tmac196]

I think the generator is fine but pull it off and the regulator and it to a shop and have them tested.

Bullitt,

The gennie has already been bench tested. See Post #28.

tmac

 

[tmac196]

I think so too.. Is why I questioned the vreg and wiring...

I found this article online:

http://www.ntractorclub.com/howtos/pdfs/Testing-Replacing-Polarizing-8N-Voltage-Regulator.pdf

Per it's instructions, I tested the vreg. My vreg specifically failed "Test 6" when I grounded the FLD terminal of the regulator to a known "good" ground the ammeter needle swung quickly to the positive side. I will obtain a new vreg today from auto parts store (6v, A-circuit, positive ground, Borg-Warner) and report back what happens.

I suppose the problem could still occur even after the vreg is replaced and correctly wired and if it does then my short has to be in my wiring harness somewhere, correct?

What else is left? Mis-wiring (connecting the wrong wires to the vreg terminals), I suppose, but I thought we checked that out by continuity testing all of the wires and labelling them at each end to avoid just this problem.

tmac

 

[Soundguy]

so far all is pointing to vreg.

 

[tmac196]

Update:

It appears at this time that my problems are solved.

I purchased a new vreg at the local auto parts store and removed the paint from the firewall (for better ground connection) beneath which the vreg sits. I retested all the wire once again for continuity and cleaned all of the terminals thoroughly. Please note that this is the third voltage regulator installed in the tractor since I replaced the battery in April.

Per manufacturers instructions, I polarized the system before starting the tractor and the tractor has run normally ever since. With revs, there is a slight positive deflection of the ammeter indicating a charging current.

Thanks to all Tractorbynetters for the help and expertise.

I'll post back if there are problems, but I'm very encouraged by this return to normality.

tmac

 

[Soundguy]

sounds perfect.