[Farmall] IH240U Charging Problem

[Jim Jacoby]

I noticed that on the wiring diagram...its worked for almost 2 years, but
the internal connection of the ammeter may have finally gone open-circuit.
Since I will be replacing the ammeter as a first step, this should eliminate
this as a problem.

Thanks,
Jim

On Dec 12, 2007 12:48 PM, Mike Sloane <mikesloane at verizon.net> wrote:

> The charging current for the battery goes *through* the ammeter. If the
> ammeter is dead and isn't passing current, then your battery won't ever
> charge from the generator. That might be one of the first places to
> look. If worst comes to worst, move one of the cable ends at the ammeter
> over on top of the other, essentially bypassing the ammeter. You can buy
> inexpensive ammeters at auto part places - they don't look nice, but
> they will at least tell you whether the battery is being charged (be
> sure to observe the correct polarity!).
>
> Mike
>
> Jim Jacoby wrote:
> > Thanks for the tips Mike.
> >
> > The belt is well tensioned, not too terribly old, and didn't seem to be
> wet
> > when the tractor died.
> >
> > The ammeter is inoperable, one of those things on the to-do list that
> has
> > now moved up in priority.
> >
> > I changed the battery because it wouldn't hold a charge, even when
> charged
> > with a charger. It would only allow 2 or 3 cranks, so if the tractor
> didn't
> > start in the first couple of tries, I had to drag the charger out to it
> > again. The new battery fixed this particular problem.
> >
> > I'd be interested in more details of your 12V conversion. Its something
> that
> > I really wanted to do before I got the new battery, but that fixed the
> > starting problems at least.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Jim
> >
> > On Dec 12, 2007 5:29 AM, Mike Sloane <mikesloane at verizon.net> wrote:
> >
> >> There are a lot of things that could be causing your problem. The
> >> easiest is a generator belt that is a little loose and slipping under
> >> load, especially in damp weather. Another is a "dirty" commutator on
> the
> >> generator or worn brushes or "soft" brush springs. Those are not
> >> difficult to remedy, but some knowledge and/or experience would be
> >> necessary. The generator almost certainly not a three brush model, nor
> >> does it have the "high charge" switch that was on some of the 1940s era
> >> IH tractors.
> >>
> >> More difficult to deal with is a voltage regulator that has gotten
> tired
> >> - generally speaking, replacement is the best cure.
> >>
> >> Now, it should be noted that those old Delco tractor generators aren't
> >> all that powerful, and if you are running at only a little over low
> idle
> >> speed with all the lights on, it is certainly possible that the
> >> generator couldn't keep up with the load. Have you been watching the
> >> ammeter while you were working? If the needle isn't positioned on the
> >> "charge" side of center, then the generator just isn't keeping up. If
> >> you bring the engine speed up, then the ammeter should show a charge.
> >> The type of use you are giving the tractor is exactly the reason I have
> >> converted some of my old Farmalls to 12 alternator - snow plowing at
> >> night for hours on end. See:
> >> <http://public.fotki.com/mikesloane/international_240u/240u4140506.html
> >
> >> for the conversion on my 240.
> >>
> >> And, finally, why did you change out the battery? If it was because it
> >> wouldn't start the tractor, the problem might have existed back then.
> >>
> >> If you aren't experienced with taking generators apart and assembling
> >> them, I suggest you remove it and take it to a local auto electric shop
> >> for diagnosis - they don't usually charge a lot to clean the
> commutator,
> >> undercut the segments, and install new brushes/springs (if needed).
> Some
> >> of the older places will even let you watch! And, if you remove the
> >> voltage regulator (carefully noting how the wires are connected), they
> >> will test the entire system under load to see where the problem lies.
> >>
> >> Mike
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
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-- 
Jim Jacoby
jljacoby at gmail.com