Rewired the smta before paint. Dad had changed it over to 12v long ago an it had always show discharge when running. By reading on here told me to put a diode on it and it was fixed. I put all new gauges on that are good quality from the guy in Ill. at Precision tractor Parts. The problem,when you first start it up the amp gauge pegs out until I guess the battery is completely charged up. This only lasts a min. or two. What can I do to fix it and will this hurt the gauge? All help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
- Thread starter BBinOk
- Start date
BarnyardEngineering
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rochester, NY
The gauge you put on is a reproduction of an original, right? Factory original is only a 30 Amp gauge I believe, and a standard Delco alternator can charge at up to 63 Amps. So that's why it's pegging, but if it's only for a minute or two I would not worry about it. If it pegged and stayed there, there is something wrong with your alternator, and it is cooking your battery to death.
" told me to put a diode on it and it was fixed"
If it was converted to a 3 wire alternator at Neg ground, a diode was to prevent it from still running when IGN was turned off.
An old 20 or 30 amp ammeter could peg for a while if a good 60+ amp alternator is installed.
With a say 60 amp alternator Id expect battery voltage could rise to 14.5 volts and charging current 40 to 60 amps for some time, but after a while once it settles in at 5 to 20 amps charging amps batt voltage may be in the 13.6 to 14.2 volt range subject to battery and alternator and its regulation circuit.
John T I don't know your alternator or its regulation or alternator RPM or battery condition so the above is ONLY a guess, dont anyone have a calf now.
If it was converted to a 3 wire alternator at Neg ground, a diode was to prevent it from still running when IGN was turned off.
An old 20 or 30 amp ammeter could peg for a while if a good 60+ amp alternator is installed.
With a say 60 amp alternator Id expect battery voltage could rise to 14.5 volts and charging current 40 to 60 amps for some time, but after a while once it settles in at 5 to 20 amps charging amps batt voltage may be in the 13.6 to 14.2 volt range subject to battery and alternator and its regulation circuit.
John T I don't know your alternator or its regulation or alternator RPM or battery condition so the above is ONLY a guess, dont anyone have a calf now.
BarnyardEngineering
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rochester, NY
As an aside, how does your tractor start? If you have to crank it a lot that would explain why the alternator puts so much into the battery right off the bat. Getting the tractor to start easier with some tuning, a tuneup, and/or better technique would reduce how much you run the battery down trying to start it.
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