140 low charging rate

Southtowns27 · Aug 30, 2021

Hey guys, I've got a new to me 140. I was going over the machine when I got it home and noticed that the charging rate was low. The wiring was less than stellar so I just rewired most of it. The charge rate is still very low. With only the ignition operating, it takes a *very* long time for the voltage to creep up over 13. With the headlights on it discharges. The generator motors when I touch a jumper between the armature and battery terminals on the VR so that tells me the generator itself is good. The commutator looks great and the brushes aren't stuck in the holders. I cleaned all the grounds between the generator case and block and VR and mounting bracket with no change. The VR itself looks relatively new and the contacts aren't pitted. I feel like I'm missing something simple here. What makes the thing kick up to a higher charge rate? Is it possible that my regulator is bad? What else should I check?

wore out · Aug 30, 2021

(quoted from post at 20:01:54 08/30/21) Hey guys, I've got a new to me 140. I was going over the machine when I got it home and noticed that the charging rate was low. The wiring was less than stellar so I just rewired most of it. The charge rate is still very low. With only the ignition operating, it takes a *very* long time for the voltage to creep up over 13. With the headlights on it discharges. The generator motors when I touch a jumper between the armature and battery terminals on the VR so that tells me the generator itself is good. The commutator looks great and the brushes aren't stuck in the holders. I cleaned all the grounds between the generator case and block and VR and mounting bracket with no change. The VR itself looks relatively new and the contacts aren't pitted. I feel like I'm missing something simple here. What makes the thing kick up to a higher charge rate? Is it possible that my regulator is bad? What else should I check?

As a test MOMENTARILY jumper the "F" terminal on the generator to a good chassis ground (which "full fields" it) and note if it charges heavily while full-fielded.

If it DOES that would point to the regulator needing to be adjusted or replaced, if the generator DOESN'T charge heavily that would point to a problem with the generator itself.

John T · Aug 31, 2021

If you work through my Troubleshooting Procedure it can help diagnose the problem. In Para 5 it describes how to MOTOR TEST the genny and be
sure to perform BOTH steps, if it passes BOTH its usually okay. Also it describes how to FULL FIELD the genny by grounding its FLD post. If
it charges then but NOT otherwise the genny itself is okay so look for a bad VR ground or a bad VR.

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=ttalk&th=2060825

John T
John Ts Charging Troubleshooting

140 low charging rate

Southtowns27

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wore out

Well-known Member

John T

Well-known Member

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