[Farmall] FARMALL H BATTERY DISCONNECT

Wed Oct 8 15:42:14 PDT 2014

Suggest looking at the regulator for possible sticking points that allow 
battery to discharge through the generator.

Bob Holtzer
On 10/8/2014 12:41 PM, szabelsk at gdls.com wrote:
> The normal method would always be to disconnect the HOT side of an
> electrical circuit, (ie: the positive battery terminal).  That's why the
> negative is always taken directly to ground on your car. All the switches
> in your car are used to break power, not ground. Also think of how your
> house is wired. The switches are always in the HOT side of the circuit.
>
> As to whether to put the switch on the positive or negative terminal of
> your tractor, it should go the terminal that DOES NOT go to ground. Either
> way you do it would really work, but neither is going to guarantee that
> your battery doesn't drain to nothing. If a short develops in the cable
> that goes from the battery to the switch, the switch is not even going to
> be in the circuit, and the battery will drain because you will have a dead
> short across the battery.
>
> If your battery drained on you over a few days, check all the wiring for
> cracked/broken/worn insulation. Look for lugs that are bent over and
> grounding out. Look for wires that are clamped to make sure there's
> insulation under the clamps.
>
> Also, check the output of your generator. You may be putting out enough
> power to run the tractor, but not charge the battery. The output voltage
> of the generator needs to be about 2 volts higher than the normal battery
> voltage in order to charge. If your only putting out 10-12 volts on a 12
> volt system, the tractor will run, but the battery won't charge. The
> battery will try to make up the difference until it gets to the point
> where it's discharged. On a 6 volt system you need to be putting out about
> 8 volts. You didn't specify what battery voltage your H is.
>
> Then there's the battery itself. Is it too old to take a charge? Does it
> have an internal short? Are all the battery terminals clean? Take it to an
> auto parts store and have them test it.
>
> If you're putting a cover over the battery when it's in its battery box,
> is the cover causing a short across the battery terminals? Check terminal
> height, cover insulation, etc.
>   
> Carl Szabelski
>
>
> The Borg Are Wrong, Resistance Is Not Futile ..... It's Voltage / Current
>
>
>
> From:   "Darrell Ratliff" <dbigdog at columbus.rr.com>
> To:     "Farmall/IHC mailing list" <farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com>,
> Date:   10/08/2014 02:55 PM
> Subject:        Re: [Farmall] FARMALL H BATTERY DISCONNECT
> Sent by:        farmall-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
>
>
>
> Ed ? I have to respectfully disagree.  Opening either leg will disconnect
> the battery from any possible current path.  A short to ground cannot
> conduct current unless one end of the battery is connected to ground.  An
> open disconnect in the ground lead cannot carry current.
>
> From: H Page
> Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2014 2:23 PM
> To: Farmall/IHC mailing list
> Subject: Re: [Farmall] FARMALL H BATTERY DISCONNECT
>
> I believe putting the switch on the hot side will keep the battery charged
> even if there is a short in the electrical system.  If it is on the ground
> side a short can still discharge the battery.
>   
>        From: Ed Greany <crest25 at verizon.net>
> To: Farmall/IHC mailing list <farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 8, 2014 11:16 AM
> Subject: Re: [Farmall] FARMALL H BATTERY DISCONNECT
>   
> Hi Richard,
>
> I'm in Pinon Hills and have a 46 Model H.
> I don't think it depends on which terminal you attach your switch to.
> Either way will block the circuit. I attached mine to the hot lead.
> My former owner also installed the On/Off switch upsidedown so when it is
> in the ON position, it is really OFF and visa versa. The reason. To keep
> juveniles from playing with it when it was parked unsupervised and they
> wouldn't be able to start it.
>
> Ed
>
>
> On Wednesday, October 8, 2014 7:39 AM, Richard Pope <popeman at verizon.net>
> wrote:
>   
>
>
> Long time reader, first time post.
> I just bought a restored 1950 Farmall H.  Three days after bringing it
> home from Phoenix, AZ, I took the tractor to it's first event.  Wasn't I
> surprised when it had a dead battery and I couldn't even get it off the
> trailer.
> I have purchased a NAPA battery disconnect switch, part # SW181.  The H is
> positive ground, which is new to me.  My 1953 Super M is 12 volt negative
> ground.  Anyway, which cable do I install the switch on?  The positive
> side of the battery going to ground?  I want to be able to park the
> tractor for several weeks at a time and not have a dead battery when I go
> to start it.
> Thanks,
>
> Richard Pope
> Apple Valley, CA
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