How to check if the generator is charging?

~Due to the regulator placement on that 1010 you are going to have a hard time doing any tests at the regulator.

~What kind [type] of battery gage do you have on it & any idea what it is [was] wired into?

~What was done to the tractor when it was at the shop? Maybe something was left disconnected or installed incorrectly.

~Is the battery ground still positive or was it changed to negative at the shop or at some other time?

~On testing the generator..... install your voltmeter across the battery terminals [tractor not running] that will show battery voltage,,, then start the tractor & run at fast idle, [does it show higher battery voltage now ?} if not the generator isn't charging & getting to the battery.

~With the tractor running at fast idle, short the [F] post {smaller of the two} on the generator to the generator case, [does it show higher battery voltage now?... If so how much?... Is it over 14 volts?... If the battery voltage is now higher, you have a regulator problem or open in the field wire between the regulator & battery. If the battery voltage is still low leave the [F] post grounded & run a jumper wire from the [A] post on the generator to the starter battery post, or directly to the battery UN-grounded post. Is the battery voltage higher now & above 14 volts?... If so remove the [F] post ground & see if it settles out to around 13-14 volts,[if so your field control is working & you have a cut-out problem or open in the [gen-arm] wire from the generator to the voltage regulator, or open in the [battery] wire from the battery/starter to the [battery terminal] on the voltage regulator. If none of the above show a battery voltage over 13 volts you probably have a generator problem.

~Some of what is said above might not make any sense to you so do what you understand or feel comfortable with then post back with findings & questions.

~It's very possible that something was left disconnected when it was in the shop or was wired incorrectly at assembly time.

Now, if theres no shorts, the batery is fine, and the gen and VR are grounded and the belts tight and battery charged and okay, it should read 12.6 volts but, with the tractor at fast RPM, battery voltage should rise to around 13 to 14 volts or so IF the charging systyem is working. Even with no voltmeter, the lights should grow brighter as RPM is increased.

If the voltage doesn't rise and youre sure the battery and grounds are all okay, insure the VR's Bat terminal is actually getting to to the battery, because it cant ever charge if a wire is off or theres no connection between the Bat terminal on the VR and the battery itself, maybe through an ammeter if you have one. Place a test lamp on the Bat VR terminal, and it better indicate battery voltage at that point before you go further.

Now, if you have battery voltage at the VR Bat terminal and all grounds are okay and the battery is okay but she wont charge, its time to see if its a VR or generator problem. First, with the tractor running, ground out the Field terminal thats leadign out of the generator and see if she then charges. If so, the VR is bad or theres a missing connection or ground somewhere. If she still dont charge, leave that connected and then jump the Bat and Gen (or Arm) terminal on the VR together and see if she charges then. If so, the cutout relay portion in the VR is bad. If still no charge with Bat and Gen (or Arm) connected and field grounded and battery okay and Bat terminal on the VR is actually connected to battery, its lookign like a bad generator. A commoin problem is the brush hold down spring system is corroded and stuck and the brushes arent held tight against the commutator. Other problems are a grounded armature or worn brushes or open field windings. Also, you can remove the generators belt and unconnect the field and then apply battery voltage to the generators armature post to see if she turns (motors), and if she does and then if you ground the field she slows slightly, the generator is usually good. Have you polarized the system lately and has anythign been chamged as far as positive or negative ground???

The short answers are check for battery voltage at the Bat terminal on the VR, load test the battery, check for shorts, try shortign out the field and try shortign the bat and gen (or Arm) when running and post back.

Thers lots more that could be said to cover every possibility and tell you how to test for each, but this is a start for you. I am planning a two part series of articles in an upcoming Green Magazine issue(s) on this very subject, since its a little complicated to cover on this board. Happy Troubleshooting and let us know what happens. Ol John T Nordhoff in Indiana

I think I can email you two a drawing to better explain if necessary.

My next question is, How should the VR be wired. I looked at it last night and there aren't any markings on it to tell me what each post is. There are three posts on the top and one post on the bottom. If it helps I am looking at the VR from the rear tires toward the front tires. Thanks again!