I have an Allis D17. Because of the ice on my roadway, I have to drive this tractor at least once daily, about a half mile, to get to my truck. I also use it with it's blade to clear snow when needed. So, this time of year it dont get used real much, but gets used almost daily.
The battery is fairly new, and was tested to be good. The starter was just replaced with a brand new one.
What's happening, is that I have to charge the battery about once every 10 days. When I first charge it, the tractor starts fairly quick. But after several days it starts slower, and eventually it wont start until I charge the battery. (Usually after 7 to 10 days).
The ammeter does not show anything. (But I am not sure it it's working).
I should mention that I changed the polarity to a NEG ground last summer, and polarized the generator. I reversed the wires on the coil, but not on the ammeter.
It seems odd that it will start and run for that many days, then gradually wear down the battery. (The tractor dont have lights). This tells me that there must be some charge coming from the genny, but not enough.
I know the generator works, because when I polarized it, it tried to turn like a motor.
Am I correct to assume that a genny is either good or bad, and there is no "gray area". Meaning that as long as it "motors", it's puting out enough charge?
Assuming I am correct about the genny, that indicates that the voltage regulator must be weak. Meaning that it must be charging some, but not enough.
That's where I get lost. How do I test the regulator to see if it's charging and how much charge it's putting out?
-OR- Is it better to just replace it?
I should mention that I'd prefer to not spend a lot on this, because as soon as the weather warms up, I plan to replace the genny with an alternator. But since I have to rely on this tractor to get me to my truck in bad weather, I need to make sure it keeps running. I suppose I could just charge the battery twice a week, to be sure it starts, but I should not have to do that if the charging system is working properly.
Thanks for all help.
The battery is fairly new, and was tested to be good. The starter was just replaced with a brand new one.
What's happening, is that I have to charge the battery about once every 10 days. When I first charge it, the tractor starts fairly quick. But after several days it starts slower, and eventually it wont start until I charge the battery. (Usually after 7 to 10 days).
The ammeter does not show anything. (But I am not sure it it's working).
I should mention that I changed the polarity to a NEG ground last summer, and polarized the generator. I reversed the wires on the coil, but not on the ammeter.
It seems odd that it will start and run for that many days, then gradually wear down the battery. (The tractor dont have lights). This tells me that there must be some charge coming from the genny, but not enough.
I know the generator works, because when I polarized it, it tried to turn like a motor.
Am I correct to assume that a genny is either good or bad, and there is no "gray area". Meaning that as long as it "motors", it's puting out enough charge?
Assuming I am correct about the genny, that indicates that the voltage regulator must be weak. Meaning that it must be charging some, but not enough.
That's where I get lost. How do I test the regulator to see if it's charging and how much charge it's putting out?
-OR- Is it better to just replace it?
I should mention that I'd prefer to not spend a lot on this, because as soon as the weather warms up, I plan to replace the genny with an alternator. But since I have to rely on this tractor to get me to my truck in bad weather, I need to make sure it keeps running. I suppose I could just charge the battery twice a week, to be sure it starts, but I should not have to do that if the charging system is working properly.
Thanks for all help.