Lucas Generators

[FourSonsFarm]

So, I have a 1973 Ford 3000 Gas that I'm working on. The generator wasn't charging and the light was staying on all the time. Decided that I'd look at it today and see what I could make of it. The battery side hood had been off for the past 10 years and the tractor was outside. :thumbdown: (Got it that way from the previous owner) So from the information that I've found on here these are the steps that I took.

1. The voltage regulator was all rusted up, so I replaced it.
3. Next I polarized the generator for go measure.
5. Next I disconnected the field and armature wires from the generator. I jumped the field and armature terminals together and then connected that to the positive side of the battery. I ran the tractor and the volts never moved.
7. At this point I removed the generator and tried to bench test it. Connected field and armature together and then to positive battery terminal and generator case to battery ground.
   The generator didn't turn. Just faintly hummed for a second.
9. I opened up the generator to find a broken brush. And some dirt dobbers.

The generator is a Lucas LRD103 with a date code from 1994. So it isn't the original one for the tractor. Is this generator worth rebuilding. I can't seem to find brush kits online, just whole generators. Am I better off buying a new one versus rebuilding the old one? I'm not against an alternator conversion, but I don't want to lose my tach output. From what I've seen it appears that all of the one wire alternators don't have tach drives, but there seems to be some externally regulated alternators that have tach drives. My thought is if I'm going to get away from the generator I'd like to loss the regulator as well. I've also read something about some kind of oil pump tach drive that you can convert to along with buying a new gauge cluster. Does anyone have more information on this option? Is this a better way to go?

-Thanks for your help

 

[Soundguy]

last lucas rebuild cost me about 80$..

 

[Soundguy]

you are already in to a new reg.. so might as well fix the genny and have the tach drive. cheaper than an alt with tach drive..

 

[FourSonsFarm]

Ordered a new generator and got it in today. Put it on after work and she is charging now. I'll take it out and "full field" it this weekend. (Disc about 2 acres behind the house). I know, I know....corny generator humor.

BTW, at idle the charging light is just barely lite. The tractor idles at 500-600 rpm. Jumps back and fourth. What is the correct idle speed for the 3000? Bumping the throttle up just a little makes the light go out.

-Thanks

 

[Soundguy]

that's completely normal for a genny... they are ineficiant at low rpms.

550 idle rpms ain't too bad either.

on a well tuned machine you can get lower.. but on average ones. 600 is bragging rights too.