FarmerBlair
Member
Hi, the charging system on my Ford 881 is acting up. It has the original setup with 6volt generator with positive ground. The charge light on the dash periodically comes on, indicating that the generator is not charging. I confirmed this with a voltmeter showing only 6.7 volts at the battery whether it is running or not and regardless of rpm. When the indicator light is off, the volts at the battery is about 7.6-7.75.
I noticed the indicator light was on one night when the tractor had been running for hours. The next morning, the light was off when starting the cold tractor. Later, the light came back on. I tried switching off and restarting, but that never seemed to help. The wiring is relatively new and connections tight. Seems like if I let the tractor sit and get cold, it will start working.
Then an odd thing happened the other day when I had been using the tractor for a couple hours with the indicator light on: I accidently pressed the starter button BEFORE I turned the ignition key to start the tractor (meaning the tractor turned over as soon as I turned the key). Now the indicator light had gone out and the tractor was charging. It didn't do this the multiple other times I had shut down and restarted the tractor normally. Does this suggest the starter switch is the problem? I am not good with electrical stuff, so please bear with any dumb questions. Not being sure how to check the charge coming directly off the generator, I didn't try that because I didn't want to fry something, including the newer voltage regulator. Thanks!
I noticed the indicator light was on one night when the tractor had been running for hours. The next morning, the light was off when starting the cold tractor. Later, the light came back on. I tried switching off and restarting, but that never seemed to help. The wiring is relatively new and connections tight. Seems like if I let the tractor sit and get cold, it will start working.
Then an odd thing happened the other day when I had been using the tractor for a couple hours with the indicator light on: I accidently pressed the starter button BEFORE I turned the ignition key to start the tractor (meaning the tractor turned over as soon as I turned the key). Now the indicator light had gone out and the tractor was charging. It didn't do this the multiple other times I had shut down and restarted the tractor normally. Does this suggest the starter switch is the problem? I am not good with electrical stuff, so please bear with any dumb questions. Not being sure how to check the charge coming directly off the generator, I didn't try that because I didn't want to fry something, including the newer voltage regulator. Thanks!