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Russ, the Cutout Relay IS NOT any sort of charge regulator. Its either open or closed. Its a Normally Open relay which closes when the Gens voltage exceeds that of the battery so it can connect to and charge it (via an ammeter usually and connection at starter or battery etc.) but open otherwise like when the tractors off so the battery dont reverse discharge through the Generator. The light switch controller allows you to manually control the charge rate by supplying a dead ground for the gens field (high charge) or a resistive ground (low charge). If it has a 3 brush adjustable generator, thats another way to limit the Gens output, but thats harder to adjust and most people never fool with them too much. I never had too much of a problem with overcharging on those type systems and would use high charge after start up then maybe switch to low charge after a while when not using any lights. Some automaticlaly place you in high charge when lights are on anyway. Keep an eye on the battery for excessive outgassing or boil over (signs of ovdercharging) and if youre always having to add water, but if she stays charged and theres no such battery problem I wouldnt worry too much. To test you can monitor the batterys voltage and it shuld be around 6.3 volts setting but rise to around 6.5 to 7 or so when charging and depending on it and the Gens condition. Or else keep an eye on the batterys specific gravity now n then. Again, if she outgasses or boils over acid you may have an overcharge problem which requires more Low Charge use or adjustment if its an adjustable 3 brush generator. John T Nordhoff, retired electrical engineer in Indiana
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