Tractor Generator Question

60 acre hillside · Sep 19, 2014

A neighbor thought he had generator problems with a 24 volt Caterpillar. I grounded the field just for a moment and observed the amp gauge, as I have done on numerous Delco Remy and Ford generators in the past. His rebuilder told him I should have never done that. Why did he say that?

These old Delco generators grounded the field on the high charging position. I once put a permanent wire grounding the field on an old Ford tractor that was only used for light chores and it charged for years.

Was the rebuilder just upset because I tried to help out?

Billy Shafer · Sep 19, 2014

Because you may have damaged his work. Or the customer may try and hold him responsable if it fails.

60 acre hillside · Sep 19, 2014

Is there any way I could damage any thing in the few minutes it was grounded? I think he wanted me to look dumb. Maybe I am!

JMOR · Sep 19, 2014

Like diapers........it depends. There are type "A" generators (most if not all Delco-Remy) and there are Ford & others that may be type "A" or type "B" and if you ground the type"B", you subject the VR contacts to excessive current, possibly to destruction. Type "A" field grounding is not a problem, as that is exactly what the VR contacts do as well.

Billy Shafer · Sep 20, 2014

Not picking on you. Because I have done things I should not have done over the years. But depending on the system. It can take only a few seconds to damage it.

pete 23 · Sep 20, 2014

Like JMOR said. If B type, wrong way to test.

Tractor Generator Question

60 acre hillside

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Billy Shafer

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60 acre hillside

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JMOR

Well-known Member

Billy Shafer

Well-known Member

pete 23

Well-known Member

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