Generator to Alternator

Lee4427 · Feb 25, 2018

I am rebuilding my fathers 1956 MF 35 with a Perkins 3cylinder diesel. His generator 12 volt system has not worked in years. Does anyone have ideas on the best way to approach changing to alternator.
Thanks

Bob · Feb 25, 2018

A search of the archives here will probably turn up a million posts of how easy it is to connect up a Delco 12 Volt internally regulated alternator.

On the other hand, NOT sure exactly what you have, but if your tractor has a mechanical tach driven from the back of the generator, and you NEED to keep that funcionality, it gets a little more complicated.

Steve@Advance · Feb 25, 2018

It's a fairly simple conversion.

Easiest is to go with a Delco 10SI "one wire" alternator. As the description says, it only requires one
wire to be connected. Looking at the regulator for the old generator system, the wire labeled "BAT" will be
used to connect the alternator. That will get the power where it needs to go, and make the amp meter work.
The regulator and associated wiring will be removed.

Also a mount bracket will need to be fabricated. This is the hardest and most critical part. The alternator
must be mounted securely, straight, and the belt aligned properly. You may be able to reuse the original
generator pulley to get the proper width. But, an alternator will work better with a smaller pulley. Just
be sure the width stays the same. You don't want to put a thinner belt on, keep the wide belt and find an
alternator pulley that matches the belt.

Pretty sure that tractor is already negative ground, but if not, it will need to be negative ground for the
alternator.

The 10SI one wire alternators are readily available at auto supplies or online.

John Deere D · Feb 25, 2018

Single wire Alternator on a 1963 MF FE 35 X 3 cylinder Perkins Diesel:

Here is a ONE wire 12 Volt Alternator Negative ground:

Purchased from YT Tractor Site:

One and only one wire is ran to one side of Amp meter:

Other connector on Amp meter is ran to and connected to Positive supply from BATTERY at Starter:

Anything above 725 Engine RPM Alternator operates PERFECTLY:

There are a lot nicer looking installations on MF 135's here on YT:

Bob.... Owner ....MF FE-35 X

Lee4427 · Feb 26, 2018

(quoted from post at 20:58:35 02/25/18) A search of the archives here will probably turn up a million posts of how easy it is to connect up a Delco 12 Volt internally regulated alternator.

On the other hand, NOT sure exactly what you have, but if your tractor has a mechanical tach driven from the back of the generator, and you NEED to keep that funcionality, it gets a little more complicated.

Thanks I will let you know how it goes

buickanddeere · Feb 26, 2018

a three wire does not drain the battery.

Generator to Alternator

Lee4427

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Bob

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John Deere D

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Lee4427

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buickanddeere

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