John Deere 60 Ammeter shows negative charge while running

pmarkel · Oct 12, 2015

The ammeter on my John Deere 60 reads about -7 to -9 while the tractor is running. Interestingly, when lights are in use, this number is reduced to -4 to -6 (while running) or +3 while tractor is not running. I looked at how the regulator was wired by previous owners. It is a 4 terminal regulator like the one I just installed on 48' B. The previous owner had both the wire to the ammeter (white) and the wire to the light switch (black) on the L terminal of the regulator. The BAT terminal was left unused. I disconnected the battery, rewired the regulator correctly, reconnected the battery, then polarized the gen to the regulator as a precaution. Unfortunately it is still showing a negative charge while running. Has anyone encountered this problem and what are some possible explanations? Thank you.

Sincerely,

Peter Markel

Ray · Oct 12, 2015

Is the battery in backwards?

PJH · Oct 12, 2015

Peter - I didn't understand your description of the wiring on your tractor, but it reminds me of an ammeter that is wired backwards. Changing a tractor to negative ground without switching the ammeter leads will get results like you're experiencing.

James Howell · Oct 13, 2015

"<font color="#6699ff">[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Has anyone encountered this problem and what are some possible explanations?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>"

Agree with [b:654c4848f0]PJH[/b:654c4848f0] that "[i:654c4848f0]it reminds me of an ammeter that is wired backwards.[/i:654c4848f0]"

Take a look at the diagram below.

Note the white wire from the "BAT" terminal on the REGULATOR to the AMMETER.

Take a look at the diagram below.

Note the white wire from the "BAT" terminal on the REGULATOR to the negative " <big>-</big> " terminal on the AMMETER.

Hope this helps.

pmarkel · Oct 13, 2015

(quoted from post at 19:00:33 10/12/15) Is the battery in backwards?

What would be considered backwards on a 60? If it is backwards, can I simply disconnect the battery, then switch which terminal is feeding the starter and which is grounding it?

pmarkel · Oct 13, 2015

Can I change it back to positive ground without compromising another electrical component on the tractor? Or can I simply switch the white wire from regulator BAT terminal to the other post on the ammeter?

M-MAN · Oct 13, 2015

Some voltage regulators will work either way and some won't. If yours does just swap the battery cables and re-polarize the genny. Nothing else cares.

pmarkel · Oct 13, 2015

So after switching the battery cables (essentially just turning the battery 180 degrees in the bat box and connecting accordingly) I can polarize the gen to the regulator again and start her up? Do I just polarize the gen the traditional way (touching a wire between the generator armature and the regulator BAT terminal until a spark appears)?

John Deere 60 Ammeter shows negative charge while running

pmarkel

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Ray

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PJH

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James Howell

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pmarkel

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pmarkel

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M-MAN

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pmarkel

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