[AT] Electrical/Generator Issues

[drupert at seanet.com]

Ben,

Could you tell us a bit more specifics about the Generator & Regulator
that's currently in your' tractor and maybe we could help you (never mind
for the moment the wiring).

For example, does the Generator have two terminals?  If so, is one labeled
"F" or "Field" and is the other the "A" or "Generator" terminal.  And are
you sure the Regulator only has three terminals and not four?  There could
be one terminal on the bottom or underneath the Regulator making it hard
to see.  If your' Generator has the two terminals described above and the
Regulator four, then it should be easy to check out and we can pass those
instructions along -

Dudley


> 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
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>