How do I check whether my tractor alternator is working
- Thread starter tommyboy1
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Soundguy
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the reg will either work or not.. now.. you might have wire harness issues.
in that case. pull the reg and hook up wire to wire to the alt. or at least jumper it wire to wire to the alt.
if alt tested good and you are using jumped out harness... and no charge... then you are left with very few possibilities...
the reg will be kindsa between battter and lower right front of fuel tank area. ie.. situate above and somewhat forward of steering box.. etc.
in that case. pull the reg and hook up wire to wire to the alt. or at least jumper it wire to wire to the alt.
if alt tested good and you are using jumped out harness... and no charge... then you are left with very few possibilities...
the reg will be kindsa between battter and lower right front of fuel tank area. ie.. situate above and somewhat forward of steering box.. etc.
Soundguy
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saves you some foot time anyway.
as for the reg. really no way to repair it.
it's potted and works or don't work.. thats why checking wire and connections is the key, since you have a known good alt now.
i doubt the alt has been damaged unless you hooked up rev polarity or saw burning wires, bloated battery.. etc.
usual fail mode on these setups is no charge. Some units with bat temp sensors give issues and you can jump them out to test. I really dislike the thermistor setup...
as for the reg. really no way to repair it.
it's potted and works or don't work.. thats why checking wire and connections is the key, since you have a known good alt now.
i doubt the alt has been damaged unless you hooked up rev polarity or saw burning wires, bloated battery.. etc.
usual fail mode on these setups is no charge. Some units with bat temp sensors give issues and you can jump them out to test. I really dislike the thermistor setup...
Coyote machine
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One thing to keep in mind is your check of the alternator was a year ago, IIRC from your initial statement. And since that time you've been running on battery power, then you charge up the battery when it goes dead, yes?
So it's hard to know what is the actual problem, since the V. reg is un-testable except for testing the wires between it and the alternator. The battery could be bad at this point from cycling it from charged to near dead so many times.
I suspect that you will find the V.reg to be the issue, and for what it costs that's a good thing.
So I'd verify the wires, then get a V. reg, if the wires check out, and try it out. This way you'll likely solve the problem, BUT you may end up needing a new battery too. One step at a time, post back results.
So it's hard to know what is the actual problem, since the V. reg is un-testable except for testing the wires between it and the alternator. The battery could be bad at this point from cycling it from charged to near dead so many times.
I suspect that you will find the V.reg to be the issue, and for what it costs that's a good thing.
So I'd verify the wires, then get a V. reg, if the wires check out, and try it out. This way you'll likely solve the problem, BUT you may end up needing a new battery too. One step at a time, post back results.
diesel lover
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My dad and I have a cockshutt and a Ferguson F-40 for moving snow. These two don't charge their battery's. At the end of the night they are put on a trickle charger . Old tractors don't use much battery power to run. Only run lights etc. Both these run on 12 volt batterys.
I ended up buying a new battery last year thinking that it might be the problem. I've have the same thoughts as you described-I may need a new battery before this is over. I will probably purchase the VR if the wires, wire connections, and ground appear to be good. I will keep you posted on the progress and outcome. Probably won't work on the tractor untill the weekend since the temps in Michigan may get "up" to the 20's by Saturday. Nothing like working on something when it's freezing out!
Soundguy
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who needs warm hands.
Soundguy
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to be fair. for florida, my thermometer said 29 this am when it was dark and I was feeding animals. for florida.. that's winter full on.
