Farmall A Battery discharges when parked.

lepumphrey

New User
I have a 1947 Farmall A with a magneto and 6V positive ground. When the wire from the BAT terminal of the voltage regulator is connected to the amp meter gauge on the tractor, it causes the battery to drain when the tractor is sitting not running. I by-passed the gauge and connected the wire directly to the ground cable of the battery and it still drains the battery, so it is not the gauge. The battery only drains when the BAT wire from the voltage regulator is connected to either the gauge or the battery. I am stumped. Can you give me any advice?
 
Like the others have stated the contacts
are stuck closed on the regulator. Leave
the bat terminal disconnected and take the
top off the regulator and you should be
able to see which contacts are stuck
closed. You should be able to clean the
contacts the same way you would breaker
points and get it working again. If not it
will need replaced.
 
Thank you.....I read somewhere that the regulator had to have rubber washers or something to insulate the regulator from the generator. Is this correct.
 
Thank you.....I read somewhere that the regulator had to have rubber washers or something to insulate the regulator from the generator housing. Is this correct.
 
(quoted from post at 08:39:45 07/31/20) Thank you.....I read somewhere that the regulator had to have rubber washers or something to insulate the regulator from the generator. Is this correct.

"I read somewhere that the regulator had to have rubber washers or something to insulate the regulator from the generator. Is this correct."

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Some regulators ARE rubber-mounted for vibration reasons, and the there's a metal strap or braided copper ground lead that bridges the rubber mounts and grounds the regulator.
 
That was the problem. Cleaned the points in the voltage regulator with some sand paper and all is good. Guess I'll have an extra voltage regulator. Thank you all very much.
 
Model T guys are doing this. Anybody tried this on a tractor? DIODE NEGATIVE GROUND
T-5055-DIO
DIODE NEGATIVE GROUND
T-5055-DIO
19-27
Convert your standard "point" style cutout to a diode style. A diode will eliminate the problem of sticking points. Comes with instructions. For negative ground systems only.
Quantity:
$5.95 EA
T-5055-DIO - CONVERTING FORD CUTOUT TO SOLID STATE• File or grind off spot welds on bottom of cover ( 2 or 3 ).• Set cutout upside down in a piece of 2 in. pipe and drive the cover off.• Remove the 4) 6-32 screws in the sides of the coil bracket (Not The Bottom)• Un-solder the large coil from the small bracket and the small wire from the base.• With a hacksaw cut off one side of the coil bracket and continue to cut thru the base of the coil and its core.• In the remaining side of the bracket, drill a hole starting with a 1/4” bit and work up to 1/2”. This is so the hole will be round.• At this point, the cover and base may be cad plated with no ill effects to the insulators. Before plating, de-grease and lightly sandblast or wire brush the metal to remove rust.• To install the diode, set it in the hole and press it in using a 7/16” or 1/2” deep socket or a tool designed for installing diodes. Use a 5/8” socket to support the bracket under the diode.• Bend the diode lead over and solder it to the small bracket.• Reinstall the cover (B to battery terminal) solder at seam.
Available from Synders Antique Auto Parts.Toll Free (888) 262-5712

12925 Woodworth Rd.
New Springfield, OH
44443-9753
 
Its been my experience that once the Voltage Regulators Cutout Relay contacts stick closed (causes discharge when tractor not running) and
if you file them to get it working they don't last long once the silvery shiny coating is removed. Time for a new one. The VR electrical
system needs a good ground to work even if it uses rubber shock mounts to reduce vibration.

John T
 
I would like to toss something in on this. I agree stuck relay points but is this a unit that used a voltage regulator (3 or 4 wires to it) or a cut out relay (2 wires to
it? Makes a difference what you order as they are not interchangeable.
 
All regs need to be grounded to the generator the rubber is for vibration if you look there is a
ground cable from the reg to the base
 
(quoted from post at 03:58:41 08/01/20) All regs need to be grounded to the generator the rubber is for vibration if you look there is a
ground cable from the reg to the base
hanks Gene. I did notice they looked as if they were for vibration.
 

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