TO 35 charging

ajhbike

Member
12v negative ground system with a generator. Does the generator need to be polarized? System isn't charging and I want to start there before moving on.
 
It seems that the generators need to run faster than idle to charge the battery.

I had my restored '55 TO35 6v/pos-ground idling and it quit after it ran the battery down. I warned the tractor I'd switch it to 12v if it was unreliable in the cold weather. So I ordered the mini 12v alternator the hot-rod guys use as it fits inside the suspension arm swing radius where the typical conversion alternator does not. It's $90 instead of $65 though. Now that tractor starts fast and charges quick.

If you are going down the path of replacing or rebuilding your generator, I'd do the conversion as it's a lot cheaper and performs better. You'll need a 12volt coil with internal resistor if going from stock 6v system.

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Don't have my manuals close, but if memory serves you can ground the field from the genny and if it shows charge the problem is the voltage
regulator.
 
A generator will only need to be polarized if it has been out of service for
an extended period of time, the generator has been repaired, or the battery
polarity has been reversed.

Won't hurt to polarize it again if you like.

To test the generator, engine running at full governed speed, ground the
field terminal to the case. It should go to full charge.

Most likely the reason it is not charging is the field contacts in the
regulator need filing. If it still had the original or an older regulator,
it is worth trying to save. The new ones are of poor quality.
 
I brought a new generator and polarised it by one wire end on the large terminal and grounding the other end on the case.
Then I found the voltage regulator had to be replaced.
Amp meters showing a good charge now.
 
I converted my 6v pos ground TO35 to 12v neg ground when my tractor died idling and I found out the generator didn't charge unless spinning faster than 1200rpm-ish. Needing to spin the engine fast just to charge induces a lot of unnecessary wear and risk I might use the tractor and forget it's not charging with a walk-home from a remote field.

I bought a new 'chevi mini denso' 12v alternator (internal regulator), new 12v coil (internal resistor), removed the factory regulator block, and now it starts like a champ and charges at low rpms. The small alternator is used by the hot-rod car builders and packages inside the TO35's suspension travel but costs around $90, otherwise just get the typical 'one wire' $65 Chevy/Delphi alternator and strap it tight to the engine.

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