IH 330 6 volt charging issue

tarheel65

New User
A month ago I noticed ammeter not showing charge when running the tractor. Tractor has started for the past month and been used a couple days a week to mow for 2 hours or more each day. Battery was new in March and has never needed charging. I have been through John T's steps for checking the system. Ammeter jumps up to 20 when field post is grounded to body. Replaced voltage regulator with new (twice). Cleaned and checked all connections and continuity of wires. Replaced ammeter. Checked and double-checked wiring diagram in manual. With the cover off, I don't see any activity of the VR or cut-out switches when the tractor is running. Have polarized the VR multiple times. Any ideas or suggestions?
 
Sounds like the regulator mount is not properly grounded.

Attach one end of a #14 wire SOLIDLY to the regulator base and the other end to the grounded battery terminal. Then run the tractor and see if it now charges.
 
If a fully charged battery is connected to a functional VR and generator, the charge rate might be near zero with a charged battery. So use a volt meter on the battery posts to check voltage at 3/4 throttle. If 14.2 to 14.7 you are good to go. If battery voltage, (as noted) the regulator ground may be at fault. Jim
 
If you have been "polarizing" the VR before starting
the tractor, it is possible you have fried the new VRs.

Good advice about the ground on the VR mount.
Jim
 
This doesn't help solve your problem today but look down the road abit. There's a pot of gold at the end of the trail named "12 volt conversion". Going to an internally regulated alternator (Denso, Hitachi, Chevrolet) and 12 volt negative ground makes driving the tractor the best part of your day without it being watered down by troubleshooting and hair pulling sessions.

There's a bit of work involved and it might be easier to build a brand new wiring harness but I am convinced that the investment pays off if one is not trying to build a numbers-matching showpiece and rather using the tractor for its utility.
 
(quoted from post at 17:28:36 08/31/20) Sounds like the regulator mount is not properly grounded.

Attach one end of a #14 wire SOLIDLY to the regulator base and the other end to the grounded battery terminal. Then run the tractor and see if it now charges.

Tried your suggestion. Ammeter momentarily showed charge then went back to below zero.
 
Manual says to polarize the generator before starting. I have done this in the past and had no problems. Is there a way to test the VR to see if it is ruined?
 
Voltage doesn't appear to change using my analog meter. The electronic meter display jumps around and never settles on a number with the engine running. 6.1 volts at the battery when not running.
 
Polarizing the field iron cores is done by jumping for one second from Bat terminal to Arm terminal. It should make a healthy spark. If the F terminal is used it can toast the voltage contacts instantly. the field circuit is a grounding circuit. Jim
 

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