[Farmall] 330u generator

[Matthew Dickinson]

Yes, when switching the ignition ON, the ammeter shows a discharge (-ve current) as the coil is energized; during cranking/when the lights are running it drops to around -10A. Once the engine is running, then it varies, sometimes it's just the same level as the coil draws when the ignition is on, sometimes it charges.

It might be worth the time to rewire the whole thing - i haven't had the regulator cover off yet, but it does seem like it's fairly new (it's shiny black plastic) so i guess the previous owner put it on - the start is also new-ish too.

thanks for all the help and suggestions, i'll let you know what i find tonight.

Matthew


On Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:00:19 -0500, "Jim Becker" <jim.becker at verizon.net> wrote:
> To add just a bit to what Mike said, that is a pretty odd behavior.  Does
> the meter show discharge when you turn the switch on, before starting it? 
> I
> would also look carefully at the ground connection of the regulator
> itself.
> It won't work without a good ground.  There should be a ground strap that
> goes from the frame of the regulator to one of the regulator mounting
> bolts
> (or possibly to the regulator base).  Make sure that strap is in good
> condition.
> 
> Jim Becker        jim.becker at verizon.net
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Sloane" <mikesloane at verizon.net>
> To: "Farmall/IHC mailing list" <farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 12:29 PM
> Subject: Re: [Farmall] 330u generator
> 
> 
>> That sounds to me as if you have the connections at the voltage
>> regulator wrong. The wire from the light switch should go to the "L"
>> terminal. If that is correct, then you might have a bad connection
>> somewhere else that is getting completed when the lights are on.
>>
>> I would check the continuity of the wires from the generator to the
>> regulator and clean the connections at both the regulator and generator.
>> If you are seeing a charge at the meter anytime, then I would say that
>> the generator is fine. (You do have the ammeter wired correctly, don't
>> you? When running at something above low idle, the ammeter should show a
>> slight charge, but if you turn on the lights at that speed, the meter
>> will show a discharge. You have to speed up the engine to get the
>> generator to charge when the lights are on.)
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> Matthew Dickinson wrote:
>>> Thanks, it's been quite strange to troubleshoot - i've replaced the
>>> ends on both battery cables, and this has made cranking easier -
>>> suspect there was a bad connection to the battery, but the generator
>>> randomly charges/discharges now - with the lights on it charges, turn
>>> them off, it discharges.
>>>
>>> There's nothing serviceable inside the generator itself  is there?
>>>
>>> thanks,
>>>
>>> Matthew
>>>
>>
>> --
>> Mike Sloane
>> Allamuchy NJ
>> <mikesloane at verizon.net>
>> Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
>> Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>
>>
>> Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no
> risk.
>>  Joaquin Setanti
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> 
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