John Deere MT generator question

Recently acquired a 1952 MT. I"m not much of an "electrician", so I"m on a learning curve. The previous owner installed a new 12v battery, but I suspect I have a 6 volt system. The tractor has what I believe to be a generator (picture attached). This unit is a Delco-Remy. The tag has been painted over, but I"m pretty sure it"s as follows - "11C(?)1857 2F 3". (The "C" is questionable.)

I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that 6 volt systems use a generator and 12 volt systems use an alternator. Is this correct? What is the best way to identify the Delco-Remy part? Also, what is the proper way to check the output for charging?

I"m interested in taking this tractor back to a 6 volt system.

The JD MT should be a 6 volt system. I've seen 6 V tractors with a 12 V battery and the 6 V regulator turned to Max output (about 8 V). To my knowledge all JD tractors that had a generator came from factory positive(+) ground. JD changed to negative(-) ground in '69 when they started installing alternators at the factory.

To check generator voltage just get a cheap volt/ohm meter.

The number you listed isn't the the ID number.The correct generator ID number should be on the tag on the lower RH part of generator and is 1101857

Tx Jim (as usual) is correct, in fact allllllllllllll two cylinder Deeres came from the factory wired Positive Ground.....

For the few out there who dont prefer the common used and univerally accepted and understood term GROUND when referring to old tractor DC electrical systems, that means a connection to the tractors conductive metal frame which is used as a current return path so two wires dont have to be ran to the lights etc., they simply use the Frame GROUND so get used to it, its the terminology I was taught and used my entire life as a Professional Electrical Engineer and I plan to continue the same !!!!!!!!!!!PERIOD

Two Cylinders Deeres, 6 or 12 volt still used a generator instead of an alternator.......

Your Genny looks like most Ive ever seen on M's........It was originally 6 volt Pos ground

Ive used 6 volt gennys with a 12 volt Voltage Regulator to charge a 12 volt battery butttttttt Its NOT engineering correct and it didnt set the world on fire as far as charge rate, Im ONLY saying it can be made to work but the fields could possibly overcurrent and overheat. IM NOT ADVISING IT, ONLY SAYING IT CAN WORK.

NOTE: The M did NOT use a full fledged Voltage Regulator, it has a 2 wire (BAT/GEN) Cutout Relay and utilized the light switch Low/High manual charge control system...

Heres a URL Link describing how to test the charging system

http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=jd&th=458743

Heres a URL LInk to the Wirign Diagram

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/M-MAN/SM-2029/M-1-JPEG.jpg

Any questions?? Run my Troubleshooting procedure

John T

John Ts Charging Troubleshooting Procedure

Yes, your 52MT originally had a 6 volt system with the generator in your photo.

Follow the wiring diagram provided by [b:654c4848f0]John T[/b:654c4848f0] and you shouldn't have any problems.

Replaced the wiring on all three of our 51MTs to get them back to original.

All very helpful. Thanks so much!