Author	[Modern View]
George Marsh 11-04-2012 12:54:44 50.104.246.0 Report to Moderator	Paul, If you can burn down a tractor because the alternator is too big for the tractor or alternator wires, why not protect the wires with a 30 amp auto reset circuit breaker? I did. Have never had any problems with circuit breaker. George [Reply]   [No Email]
Paul in MN 11-04-2012 14:15:58 174.20.136.201 Report to Moderator	Re: delco 10si in reply to George Marsh, 11-04-2012 12:54:44   George, Excellent idea, but 30 amps might be a tad small and trip out during a normal start-up with a low battery. I think I'll opt for the 40 amp CB, and by purely guessing, I think the wire harness is safe. We probably need to protect both ends of that #10, as the a short can occur anywhere between the dash and the alternator. If this short occurs (as with the customer's tractor), the wire softened became very floppy, melted the zip tie close to the alternator and then fell on the hot exhaust manifold. There is no way to stop that battery short without pulling or cutting a batt cable. But it will seriously burn your hand and fingers if you try to handle it without benefit of some tools. I agree that this is a shortcoming of all N series tractors, and probably many others as well. If the companies that make the aftermarket wire harnesses were to include a CB on this line from batt to alternator, it would save many tractors (and maybe some sheds) from this fierey death. Paul in MN [Reply]  [No Email]
George Marsh 11-04-2012 18:09:40 50.104.246.0 Report to Moderator	Re: delco 10si in reply to Paul in MN, 11-04-2012 14:15:58   Paul, I used a 10g wire from the alternator to the ammeter, so my 30 amp CB is under the dash before the meter. Used a 30amp for 2 reasons. First, it was the only one I had in my used parts box. Second, to protect 10g wire you should use a 30 amp fuse or CB. I wired my Jubilee about 4 years ago and yet to have any problems. Lucky if my alternator produces 20 amps on start up. Had to replace the 40 amp alternator because the bearings went out. I went with a larger alternator. Still no problems with CB. When I changed the alternator on my IH C, I used a 30 amp fuse on the alternator wire because I didn't have another 30 amp CB. NO PROBLEMS. When I told people I was fusing the alternator wire, some thought I would have nothing but problems. Glad that you agree that alternator wires should be fused. George [Reply]  [No Email]