Negative AMP reading

Thanks
Bob

: Thanks
: Bob
Bob to test the generator output the first thing I'd do would be to check to make sure the voltage regulator is exciting the field windings by going to the terminal post marked "F" on the generator and putting a voltmeter between it and ground; you should see some voltage here...up to 12 volts (assuming you have a 12V system. If not, look for up to 6V). You could also check this at the F post on the reg, but checking it at the gen ensures the wire from the reg is good too. Note that this voltage will vary depending on what charging demand the regulator is sensing...ie...if the battery is topped off and you have all electrical demands like lights turned off...you'll probably see considerably less than 12V...although you should see some due to the demands of the ignition system while the engine is running (assuming points and coil vice magneto). Once you're staisfied the field is excited, go to the other post on the generator (not sure what the marking will be) which should be the generator output going to the battery...in fact it may be marked "BATT" . With the eng running and good field current, you should see an output of at LEAST 12V (or 6V if you have a 6V system). If you let the battery drain a little bit (ie start the tractor and let it idle and turn everything electrical on...lights etc...to discharge the batt slightly), then rev the engine up you should see 13.5V or so (or7.5V if 6V system) at the output terminal on the gen as it recharges your batt. Hope this gives you some ideas. Dave

: Thanks
: Bob
Bob, are you sure the generator isn't working? If the ammeter is wired backwards it will read discharge when it should read charge and vice versa. If the ammeter is wired backwards and the generator IS working...the higher you rev it the more discharge the ammeter will show. Dave

: : Just got the TO 35 I am rebuilding started today - first time in 15 year it has run. New battery,etc. I am stumped though - the amp meter is reading negative - the faster I run it the more negative it gets. Could something have gotten reversed? Is the generator not working (how do I check gnerator output??)? Ideas! Thoughts!

: : Thanks
: : Bob
: Bob, are you sure the generator isn't working? If the ammeter is wired backwards it will read discharge when it should read charge and vice versa. If the ammeter is wired backwards and the generator IS working...the higher you rev it the more discharge the ammeter will show. Dave

: Thanks
: Bob
Hi,
I also have a 35 and I think that you need to polarize the voltage regulator. The way to do this escapes me at the moment but the instructions are in the box with a new regulator. My dealer just took the instructions out and handed them to me. Perhaps you will be so lucky.
Could alsop be that you just reversed the wires on the amp meter.
Chip

: : Thanks
: : Bob
: Hi,
: I also have a 35 and I think that you need to polarize the voltage regulator. The way to do this escapes me at the moment but the instructions are in the box with a new regulator. My dealer just took the instructions out and handed them to me. Perhaps you will be so lucky.
: Could alsop be that you just reversed the wires on the amp meter.
: Chip
Hi Chip,

We tried polarizing the generator yesterday and that did not make a difference. Since generator technology is a little old no one around here seems to know how to take a voltage or AMP reading off the generator.

Anybody have the instructions on how to perform a Voltage or AMP reading from a generator??

Bob

: : : Thanks
: : : Bob
: : Hi,
: : I also have a 35 and I think that you need to polarize the voltage regulator. The way to do this escapes me at the moment but the instructions are in the box with a new regulator. My dealer just took the instructions out and handed them to me. Perhaps you will be so lucky.
: : Could alsop be that you just reversed the wires on the amp meter.
: : Chip
: Hi Chip,

: We tried polarizing the generator yesterday and that did not make a difference. Since generator technology is a little old no one around here seems to know how to take a voltage or AMP reading off the generator.

: Anybody have the instructions on how to perform a Voltage or AMP reading from a generator??

: Bob

Bob -

Probably the easiest way to check your generator operation is to get an accurate voltmeter - a digital one if possible. (Radio Shack has good cheap digital units for $20 or so).

Set the meter to "DC volts" and connect one lead to each of the battery posts. Assuming your tractor is wired for 6 volts and the battery is charged, you should see something around 6.2 or 6.3 volts with the engine off.

Next start the motor and run it up to full speed. The voltmeter should now show something between 7.2 and 7.5 volts if the generator is working. However if the generator is NOT working the voltage will be a little less than what you first measured with the motor off.

Note: If your tractor has a 12 volt system, simply double all the voltage readings above.

From you description it sounds like the generator is working OK - just the wires are reversed on the ammeter.

Hope this helps...

Bob

: : : Thanks
: : : Bob
: : Hi,
: : I also have a 35 and I think that you need to polarize the voltage regulator. The way to do this escapes me at the moment but the instructions are in the box with a new regulator. My dealer just took the instructions out and handed them to me. Perhaps you will be so lucky.
: : Could alsop be that you just reversed the wires on the amp meter.
: : Chip
: Hi Chip,

: We tried polarizing the generator yesterday and that did not make a difference. Since generator technology is a little old no one around here seems to know how to take a voltage or AMP reading off the generator.

: Anybody have the instructions on how to perform a Voltage or AMP reading from a generator??

: Bob

There should be two terminals on the generator. One larger than the other. The small one is the field connection (goes to the regulator), the large one is the output from the generator. You read generator voltage from that large post to chassis. It should match the polarity of the battery. If it doesn't you have troubles. If the generator IS charging, the voltage at the generator should be a little bit higher than the battery voltage. That's one check. I often use an ammeter made to check generators, alternators, and starter currents. It has a couple guides on its back, a big one for starter cables and a smaller one for other circuits. It can be confusing about direction of current, but checking the voltage at the battery and the generator isn't. There will be a little voltage drop in the wiring between the generator and the battery and you should be able to detect that to see if the generator is charging. The most optimum charging voltage for a 12 volt system is 14.2 volts. Higher will overcharge the battery, lower will undercharge the battery. Half that for a 3 cell battery.

The positive terminal of the ammeter should be wired away from the battery, e.g. the negative to the battery, providing the negative post of the battery is grounded. Just the opposite if the battery positive post is grounded like my 4020 gas.

If it ever stops raining I will give it a try. Let you know how it worked on Monday.

THANKS

: : : : Just got the TO 35 I am rebuilding started today - first time in 15 year it has run. New battery,etc. I am stumped though - the amp meter is reading negative - the faster I run it the more negative it gets. Could something have gotten reversed? Is the generator not working (how do I check gnerator output??)? Ideas! Thoughts!

: : : : Thanks
: : : : Bob
: : : Hi,
: : : I also have a 35 and I think that you need to polarize the voltage regulator. The way to do this escapes me at the moment but the instructions are in the box with a new regulator. My dealer just took the instructions out and handed them to me. Perhaps you will be so lucky.
: : : Could alsop be that you just reversed the wires on the amp meter.
: : : Chip
: : Hi Chip,

: : We tried polarizing the generator yesterday and that did not make a difference. Since generator technology is a little old no one around here seems to know how to take a voltage or AMP reading off the generator.

: : Anybody have the instructions on how to perform a Voltage or AMP reading from a generator??

: : Bob

: There should be two terminals on the generator. One larger than the other. The small one is the field connection (goes to the regulator), the large one is the output from the generator. You read generator voltage from that large post to chassis. It should match the polarity of the battery. If it doesn't you have troubles. If the generator IS charging, the voltage at the generator should be a little bit higher than the battery voltage. That's one check. I often use an ammeter made to check generators, alternators, and starter currents. It has a couple guides on its back, a big one for starter cables and a smaller one for other circuits. It can be confusing about direction of current, but checking the voltage at the battery and the generator isn't. There will be a little voltage drop in the wiring between the generator and the battery and you should be able to detect that to see if the generator is charging. The most optimum charging voltage for a 12 volt system is 14.2 volts. Higher will overcharge the battery, lower will undercharge the battery. Half that for a 3 cell battery.

: The positive terminal of the ammeter should be wired away from the battery, e.g. the negative to the battery, providing the negative post of the battery is grounded. Just the opposite if the battery positive post is grounded like my 4020 gas.