|
Mike, Yes, that's high. Assuming the battery is in good shape, it should settle right back down to near zero amps and 13.5-14.5 volts in a few minutes with the tractor running, like Steve says. The voltmeter should drop to 12 volts with the engine off. I don't think I have ever noticed my charging rate increasing dramatically like yours with increasing throttle, although it will some. It could be the internal regulator but that would be odd since you had the alternator tested out. Are you sure the battery is good? By good I don't mean just being able to start the tractor. It could have a bad cell or two and still seem OK, especially in mild weather. I had a similar problem on my Oliver a couple of years ago. I had converted that to an alternator system also. It's a diesel and has two 12v batteries connected in parallel. They were both several years old. I had noticed once that the ammeter was pegged at 20 amps at half throttle and it just stayed there. Even after a long period, the charging rate would not drop off like it should have. Thinking it was the alternator/regulator, I simply replaced that. But the condition didn't improve. Only after I replaced the batteries did the operation get back to normal. The older batteries started the tractor OK, but the weather was mild. They may not have done so in mid winter. Just something to think about. My local NAPA store will provide a free battery load test for their customers. Yours might also. I'd make sure the battery passed a load test before I spent more money on the alternator. It doesn't sound like you have a wiring problem or you wouldn't be getting the action you are. I'd try NAPA on the 12v bulbs. I don't have the standard AC lights on mine so I don't know if yours are sealed beam or just bulbs like car back-up or license plate lights use. The lights on my B are old Volkswagen backup lights that were originally 6v. I just put in standard 12v, single contact bulbs (GE#1156, I think). Anyway, NAPA ought to be able to provide you with 12v bulbs that fit your housings. Rod
|
