[AT] Electrical/Generator Issues

[drupert at seanet.com]

B> 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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