Update on 49 B draining battery

SamV · Jul 29, 2017

Well the starter didn't solve the problem, the lug on the switch was not isolated . When I re-installed the starter and tested the system, No drain. The I attached the rest of the harness, No drain. Pulled the lights on and you could see the amps being used, shut the lights off and no drain. I decided I would start it to see if it was charging and it was. I thought all good. then I shut it down and I figured I better check again. Well low and behold the amp draw was 23.xxx I went to the generator and the regulator was steaming hot. I guess I need a new regulator???? I didn't have time to open it up but that is what I am going to do first. Any advise appreciated.

machineryman · Jul 29, 2017

those regulators have to be replaced more than normal...they're by the exhaust pipe and subject to shipwrecking vibration...worst location John Deere could ever dreamed up....what's happening is your points have stuck turning the generator into a motor....I can tell you from many experiences you can't do anything to adjust them....trash and buy another one...might want to get a spare also....worst charging system know to man....

David G · Jul 29, 2017

Delco alternator will fit right on there, no more regulator issues.

ET · Jul 30, 2017

You could pull the cover off the regulator and un-stick the cut out relay. The points were not making a good connection and arced a little bit welding themselves together. I have had some luck polishing the points by running a piece of fine emery cloth between them. You need to run a strip of paper over the contacts after the emery to get any abrasive off them . If you leave the cover off the regulator and start the tractor you can see the cut-out relay close and there should be no arcing on those points. When you shut the tractor off the points should pop open. A brand new regulator sticking is not uncommon and with a little fussing around it can be made to work fine.

SamV · Jul 30, 2017

Thanks for the comments. I will work on it this afternoon. I will let you know what I find.

John T · Jul 30, 2017

That high current draw upon shutdown and the gennys getting hot indicates a stuck closed Cutout relay. If that happens and the belt is loose the genny will spin like the DC motor it is. While it may be possible to unstick it and clean/buff/polish the relay contacts to fix it temporarily, once the shiny silvery coating is gone it may well stick again.

My advise you're likely gonna need a new VR (or a new cutout relay if its the old style system), try to clean and polish up the contacts if you like.

John T

SamV · Jul 31, 2017

Yes the points on the regulator were stuck so I am going to order a new one. I tried sanding them but I must have messed something up cause now it will not charge. No drain but not charging is about the same boat.

machineryman · Jul 31, 2017

Sam: See what I mean about trying to adjust....guess you had to experience....only thing one can do is trash the old one put on a new one....or change over to delco alternator...

SamV · Jul 31, 2017

No chance of doing the Alternator. I spent a lot on the Generator getting restored and converted to 12V....

Lee B · Jul 31, 2017

So if you want to give your new VR the best shot at a long life consider charging the battery overnight before you install it and then polarize the generator again just before starting it up. This helps limit high charging current on a discharged but healthy battery which may exceed the cutout points current capacity and cause them to weld shut again. Today's VR are not up to the quality that they used to be, they've gone cheap on the platinum content of those points. Using a fully charged battery will help a great deal.

buckeye al · Jul 31, 2017

Be sure to hook your battery up matching the polarity of the regulator. If the regulator says 12 v + ground, hook the battery up that way. If it says 12 v - ground then hook the battery up - ground. If the regulator says 12 V +/- then hook the battery however you wish.

Installing a regulator is just like DC stick welding, if you have a straight rod & you try to use it reverse it will tend to stick & be troublesome. A reverse rod used straight will do the same. It's all in the metallurgy of those points! Make 'em work with the wrong polarity & they'll be troublesome. The generator won't care!

1. Install the regulator
2. Hook the battery up with the polarity that matches the REGULATOR.
3. Polarize.

John T · Jul 31, 2017

Wise choice, sounds like a new one is in order. Be sure and get one that matches your tractors polarity and Id polarize the genny BEFORE starting her up.

John T

Update on 49 B draining battery

SamV

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machineryman

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David G

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ET

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SamV

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John T

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SamV

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machineryman

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SamV

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Lee B

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buckeye al

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John T

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