RuralTowner
Member
MF202 w/ 134 Continental.
Found an issue I failed to look into some months back when I got it the tractor. After a fuel issue which was simple enough to fix, checked to see it was charging...it wasn't. All wires were connected where they should be. NOTE: The tractor still had the old generator installed. Pulled generator//regulator & installed alternator (charge output + FLD)//regulator from a 68' Dodge bus on the property (what was available); ran output to pos battery w/ FLD to regulator then out to the ignition. No charge.
Disconnected regulator then jumped the field//ignition connections...voltage varies but reaches up to 16+ volts. This seemed to say the old regulator was shot. Got a replacement (damn Autozone wanted 48$ for an exact regulator match...nearly 10x what RockAuto asks)...so got a generic solid-state from a local auto parts store for 13$ (2 terminal reg). Had to fashion up new connection ends but it STILL wont charge.
Once again d/c'd regulator and jumped the connections and got the 16-ish volts from before. This tells me the alternator IS putting out but am puzzled as to why I'm getting lower voltage reads with the regulator connected and tractor running ...than I do when its off.
Readings: 12.5 w/ engine off ---- 12.3-4 w/engine running & regulator connected (RPM unknown but the ear says 1500+ when tested) ---- 13.5-16+ w/ engine running & regulator bypassed.
EDIT: Not sure if this has anything to do with it but the alternator was D U S T Y inside...the bus has sat for over 20 years. I shook out as much dust as I could...though neglected to take the air hose to it to finish the job before installing it.
Found an issue I failed to look into some months back when I got it the tractor. After a fuel issue which was simple enough to fix, checked to see it was charging...it wasn't. All wires were connected where they should be. NOTE: The tractor still had the old generator installed. Pulled generator//regulator & installed alternator (charge output + FLD)//regulator from a 68' Dodge bus on the property (what was available); ran output to pos battery w/ FLD to regulator then out to the ignition. No charge.
Disconnected regulator then jumped the field//ignition connections...voltage varies but reaches up to 16+ volts. This seemed to say the old regulator was shot. Got a replacement (damn Autozone wanted 48$ for an exact regulator match...nearly 10x what RockAuto asks)...so got a generic solid-state from a local auto parts store for 13$ (2 terminal reg). Had to fashion up new connection ends but it STILL wont charge.
Once again d/c'd regulator and jumped the connections and got the 16-ish volts from before. This tells me the alternator IS putting out but am puzzled as to why I'm getting lower voltage reads with the regulator connected and tractor running ...than I do when its off.
Readings: 12.5 w/ engine off ---- 12.3-4 w/engine running & regulator connected (RPM unknown but the ear says 1500+ when tested) ---- 13.5-16+ w/ engine running & regulator bypassed.
EDIT: Not sure if this has anything to do with it but the alternator was D U S T Y inside...the bus has sat for over 20 years. I shook out as much dust as I could...though neglected to take the air hose to it to finish the job before installing it.