[Farmall] Electrical/Generator Issues

[Darrell Ratliff]

Ben - this diagram is from the ATIS Cub FAQs but the wiring should be 
identical for the A.  It should answer your questions:

http://www.atis.net/CubFAQ/cubwire.jpg

Bigdog

From: Ben Wagner
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2012 4:54 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group ; Farmall/IHC mailing list
Subject: [Farmall] Electrical/Generator Issues

Good afternoon,

I have had a few issues with my 1945 A's electrical system recently, and
wanted to bounce a few ideas off the folks on the list.  I will warn you
that this email is long and complicated!

The generator was new in the early 90's, according to the previous owner.
It was equipped with a regulator (3 connections) which seems to be
inappropriate for the tractor.  The generator did not work at all, and I
found that it was wired incorrectly. Someone had stacked the "bat" wire
onto the far right "arm" wire on the "arm" bracket of the regulator.  The
load hook up (lights) was on the "bat" terminal.  Would this have injured
the generator since it has been run this way probably for years?

After rewiring it, I found that the generator still gives no charge.  I
measure no voltage from the generator, and the "motor test" also did not
give any positive answers.  I believe the regulator is good, but the
generator itself is not.  I am going to disassemble the generator and see
if I can find a problem.  What are the places I should look beyond loose
connections, grounded field, and worn brushes?

For reference, what the previous owner did was replace the old generator
with a new one.  He rewired it, and replaced the original relay (1 line
going to the ammeter) with a regulator (2 wires going to the light switch
and ammeter).  From the original A electrical parts, only the light switch
(4 position) and ammeter remains.  The wiring was updated to match the
regulator demands (2 wires) leaving the light switch to hook up strangely.

Now, I am leaning towards replacing the regulator with a relay to regain
originality and to simplify the wiring, but the budget is tight.  If I can
fix the generator, that would be great, but keeping the current generator
and regulator would also create the need to really solve this wiring mess
for certain.  If anyone has any experience in wiring a regulator to an A 4
position light switch made for a relay, I would like to hear from you!

I hope this email made sense.  If you need me to clarify, let me know.

Thanks in advance for all your help.  My brain seems to not be wired for
complicated electrical problems!

Ben Wagner
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