WD-45 generator not charging? (6-volt system)

Will Herring · Aug 10, 2020

Went out to check on my cousin's WD-45 I got running a few weeks ago, and it wouldn't start as the 6V battery was now too weak. Put it on the charger and got it back up to snuff. It spun over really good once fully charged, and I had to choke it a bit more than usual, but it fired right up, with the usual flutters and pops that tractor does.

However, I noticed the ammeter was not showing a charge. I played with the switch position, but never got the needle to move at all while playing with it. I don't have a 6V on my tractors, I have an 8V battery w/ generator or a 12V battery w/ alternator setup, so I am used to how those show charging.

So I'm not really sure what I should be seeing, or if I needed to rev the tractor up more, or if there's something else I should be looking for to see if the generator even works? I did put a few drops of oil in the front spring loaded flip up on the generator while I was out there.

John T · Aug 10, 2020

Will IF YOU work through my troubleshooting test procedure linked below step by step it can help identify the cause of non charging and
determine if its a Generator problem or a voltage regulation problem. In Para 5 it shows how to effectively by pass any voltage regulation
(be it a Voltage Regulator or a manual low high light switch type of regulation). It also describes how to Motor Test the Genny to see if its
good or bad.......... Be sure to POLARIZE the genny before the next start up........If you use a jumper wire to temporarily ground out the
gennys FLD post see if it charges then ??????? If still no charge the genny may be the problem, if it charges then but NOT otherwise, the
genny is okay so its a regulation problem SEE MY PROCEDURE

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=ttalk&th=2060825

John T
John Ts Troubleshooting

Sleufoot · Aug 10, 2020

Thanks John T. I am having an issue with my John Deere G charging and was just thinking about what to do. This will help. Tom in Mn.

Bob Bancroft · Aug 10, 2020

After you work through John's procedures, know that the field circuit on that is grounded through the low/high/charge/light switch, through that little housing, with one little, short sheet metal screw which completes the circuit to the battery box. All subject to corrosion.

Will Herring · Aug 10, 2020

Thanks John, this is good stuff! Will work through this next time I get access to the tractor.

Also thanks for the note of checking that screw at the battery box for corrosion, Bob.

WD-45 generator not charging? (6-volt system)

Will Herring

Well-known Member

John T

Well-known Member

Sleufoot

Member

Bob Bancroft

Well-known Member

Will Herring

Well-known Member

Similar threads