TEA 20 Wiring of Voltmeter

equeen

Member
Have recently acquired a Ferguson TEA 20 that will not start - among other ailments.

Tractor has 12v system and I'm wanting to wire the voltmeter which just sits there.

Please guide me as to how it must be done. (Oops, and does it read volts being put out by the alternator - or is it something else?)

Thanks.

Gene
 
More details will be helpful...

Won't start, as in the starter does not crank the engine through, or the starter works, but it does not start?

The wiring. Voltmeter? Have you added a volt meter? If so it simply wires to the ignition side of the ignition switch.

But it originally came with an amp meter, it wires entirely differently. The electric current actually flows through the amp meter.

One terminal of the amp meter connects to the non grounded side of the battery, use a 10 ga wire, pick up the power at the battery side of the starter solenoid.

The other amp meter terminal connects to the ignition switch, any other non switched accessories, like lights, and the A terminal of the voltage regulator (or the BAT terminal of the alternator if it has been converted).

If the meter reads backward, reverse the terminal connections.
 
Thanks for the info, Steve.

I have not added a voltmeter; but one is there in the dash with no wires. At this time I simply want to wire up the voltmeter. I understand you to state that it wires to the ignition side of the ignition switch. To what does the other voltmeter post wire to??

Won't start means starter spins the flywheel; but the engine does not crank. There are many reasons for it not starting - and me not wanting it to start just yet. Right now I'm simply replacing the wiring and adding some wiring (as the case with the voltmeter) where wiring doesn't exist.
 

The second wire on the volt meter would connect to a good ground.

Using crank, to describe the engine actually running, confuses most as to whether you have a starter or engine problem. Use of the crank term has often been discussed and it can/does have different meanings in different locations.

For the most part to help avoid confusion around what you are describing in regard to starter and engine operations try using the terms this way: If the starter, or a hand crank, turns the engine over that is commonly called cranking. Cranking and turning over are the mechanical rotation of the engine before it starts (or catches). If the starter cranks (turns over) the engine, then the engine will start (catch) and run, or it will not start.
 
Thank you very much, Jim and Steve.

It appears that the most sensible and useful route for me is to remove the volt meter and install an ammeter. Am I interpreting correctly?

And...thanks for the advice on crank vs start. The engine cranks just fine; however it will not start - for a number of reasons. For starters (oops), the point contacts don't even make contact with one sitting above the other.
 
The other post of the volt meter goes to chassis ground.

If it already has a volt meter, and no amp meter, the volt meter is much easier to wire, less likely to cause an electrical problem, serves an even better purpose. Unless you want originality, I would suggest staying with the volt meter.

Usually a completer rewire is in order for the old tractors. Make a game plan, draw it out, decide what changes will be made first, generator or alternator, points or electronic, lights or not. I like to use the split black plastic loom covers, available at the auto supply, keeps everything bundled together and protected. Solder and shrink tube make the best connections. Keep the neutral start feature in place, a life can literally depend on it!
 
(quoted from post at 08:49:28 07/15/21) Thank you very much, Jim and Steve.

It appears that the most sensible and useful route for me is to remove the volt meter and install an ammeter. Am I interpreting correctly?

And...thanks for the advice on crank vs start. The engine cranks just fine; however it will not start - for a number of reasons. For starters (oops), the point contacts don't even make contact with one sitting above the other.

A voltmeter will tell you the voltage available when ever the switch is on, so you know when you turn the key on to start it if the battery voltage is there to crank it and when charging you should see it work up to 14 volts +/- if it is charging. With a ammeter wired correctly you will see amperage going to or coming from the battery for everything, except starter cranking amps. Either is fine, just a matter of personal preference. I am using more voltmeters as I think they show system condition better.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top