idle adjustments

johnarlyce · Oct 25, 2016

I was recently informed by a forum member that alt. speed must reach 2000 rpm's to engage alt. charge. The only way I can figure out how to get to that is by manually pulling back governor rod. How can i increase idle speed if idle ajustment screw doesn't do anything? [/i][/b]

Bob · Oct 25, 2016

What's this on?

Sounds like you have a "one-wire" alternator, and would be better of setting up a "3-wire system" so the alternator gets externally "excited" at startup and will begin to charge at MUCH lower RPM's.

Steve@Advance · Oct 25, 2016

Can you put a smaller pulley on the alternator?

Have you ever gotten it to charge? This is an interesting video, sounds convincing anyway...
Exciting Alternator

old · Oct 25, 2016

Fill in the blanks. It is hard for us to help you help your self with out us knowing what you have since not all are done the same way.

Also as Bob says a 3 wire set up is better since it starts charging as soon as the alternator get the excite current

johnarlyce · Oct 27, 2016

1951 Super C that has been converted to a 12 volt system. The alternator has one wire running to the post that is located higher up in the back of the alt. with two other wires that run to the ammeter and ignition. The two wires running from the tab type connectors are what is a little confusing to me. One wire runs like I said to the post on the back and the other wire I was told to ground it to the body temporarily to excite the alt. to get it to start charging. Before I purchased a new alt. I didn't think it was working properly. Now when I touch this wire to ground there is a slight spark and the amp. meter shows it stops charging. So to get it to start charging again I must increase the rpm using the governor rod by pulling it towards rear and the amp. meter shows then that it is charging. Maybe I could eliminate that ground technique if i could increase the rpm's some other way. When I lower the rpm on the speed control the motor dies. ???

old · Oct 27, 2016

If you look close on the alternator where the 2 wire plug is you should see a 1 and a 2. The #2 wire goes to the charge stud like you are saysing and the #1 wire should go to the ignition switch the side that is hot when turned on. You are likely to need a diode in line with the #1 wire or you will not be able to shut the engine down. Grounding the #1 wire may have fried the alternator. The wire from the charge stud should go to the amp gauge the side that has the ignition wire going to the ignition switch

Steve@Advance · Oct 27, 2016

You don't want to ground that wire, instead try touching it to the battery terminal (the post on the back of the alternator) while the engine is running at full governed speed. If the alternator is good, that should start it charging.

If you want to keep touching the wire every time you start it, you can, just be sure not to let it short to ground, or leave it connected when you shut down, it will discharge the battery.

The other solution would be to connect the wire to a resistor (small incandescent lamp) then to the ignition side of the ignition switch.
Alternator wiring

johnarlyce · Oct 28, 2016

thank you

D beatty · Oct 28, 2016

I have a Farmall B with magneto and went to one wire 6 volt alt. and used the button method to get it charging.

idle adjustments

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