8N generator

Delvaughn

Member
I have a 49 side mount, factory 6 volt system. How do you check the generator to see how much if any it is putting out? Amp gage
doesn't show much on the charge side. Thanks
 
(quoted from post at 17:23:05 02/12/21) I have a 49 side mount, factory 6 volt system. How do you check the generator to see how much if any it is putting out? Amp gage
doesn't show much on the charge side. Thanks
F ammeter is wired correctly, it will register only the current going into the battery & in a properly functioning system, that will be very, very small, with a fully charged battery. Connect a voltmeter to battery posts and it should show about 6.4-6.5 volts after tractor has not been run for awhile & then upon starting & at speed, voltage should increase to ~ 7 volts.
 
The amp gauge is wired proper. Been on tractor for 71 years lol. When I turn on headlights, with engine not running, the gauge
shows on the discharge side as it should. Had to put charger on battery for couple of hours to get it started. Didn't know if how
to check the output of the generator right from the generator. I have a volt meter. After got it started the gauge didn't show
much charging. The battery may just be needing to be replaced. Don't know how old it is. Thanks guys
 
(quoted from post at 12:45:27 02/13/21) The amp gauge is wired proper. Been on tractor for 71 years lol. When I turn on headlights, with engine not running, the gauge
shows on the discharge side as it should. Had to put charger on battery for couple of hours to get it started. Didn't know if how
to check the output of the generator right from the generator. I have a volt meter. After got it started the gauge didn't show
much charging. The battery may just be needing to be replaced. Don't know how old it is. Thanks guys
ell, I suppose I could repeat my advice to measure battery voltage for the volt or so increase when running, but advice didn't take first time, so why would it take the second time? :roll:
 
(quoted from post at 17:23:05 02/12/21) I have a 49 side mount, factory 6 volt system. How do you check the generator to see how much if any it is putting out? Amp gage
doesn't show much on the charge side. Thanks

Jmor explained nicely about the readings you see on your ammeter.

I'll add
Generators and alternators are designed to work [b:cade869b18][i:cade869b18]in conjunction[/i:cade869b18][/b:cade869b18] with a battery, to charge the battery while running. You want a battery in the circuit when taking readings, and take the readings at the battery.

As Jmor stated, an ammeter [u:cade869b18]"will register only the current going into the battery & in a properly functioning system, that will be very, very small, with a fully charged battery"[/u:cade869b18].

This is because with a battery in the charging circuit, the generator will put out only what is needed to keep the battery fulling charged.

One way to see how your generator is doing, is to take a voltage reading from the battery with the tractor not running. Then, take another reading directly after starting the tractor. The starting process uses up some of your battery power, thus once started, the generator will be putting out a higher charge than later, when the battery is up to full charge.

The second reading should be higher than the first reading, if indeed the generator is charging. If the second reading is not higher, or is lower than the first, your generator is not charging. If that's the case, the next step is to determine why.

As far as your battery there are several ways to determine the condition of it. Specific gravity measurements, load testing, etc. If you can't test with those yourself, many of the automotive shops / suppliers will test it free of charge for you. Another is if you charge up your battery, so that a [b:cade869b18]no load[/b:cade869b18] voltage measurement shows plenty of voltage, but as soon as you start cranking the voltage drops too low to turn the engine over.

Also if your voltage readings as described above show the generator is charging, but your tractors battery is too weak to start the tractor after sitting several hours later or the next day your battery is probably no good. Have it tested.
 
What does the ammeter look like with the tractor running at, say half throttle and the light on? If it is at zero or just to the plus side of zero, then the generator is working.
 

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