Oliver550 not charging

super99 · Oct 5, 2021

Im back on the 550 again. It quit charging, trying to figure out why. Its positive ground,12 volt system. I used a test light while running, the only power I get is the middle,top terminal on the regulator . No light on either terminal on the generator or any of the other terminals on the regulator. Is the generator the problem?

John T · Oct 5, 2021

You ask Is the Generator the problem ???

My Charging Troubleshooting Procedure linked below has an easy test to determine if non charging is due to a Generator orrrrrrrrr a Voltage Regulator problem.

With the engine running momentarily ground out the Gennys FLD post, if it charges then but NOT otherwise, the Genny itself is okay and the problem is either a faulty VR or the VR isn't well grounded

First, however and before starting, try to POLARIZE the genny by momentarily jumping the VR's BAT terminal over to the GEN/ARM terminal and you should get a small spark. Then start and try to ground the gennys FLD to see if she charges ???

BOTH the genny and VR need good grounds, ensure that and check all connections.

RUN MY CHARGING TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS linked below

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

John T
John Ts Charging Troubleshooting

super99 · Oct 5, 2021

Now I'm totally confused. I started the tractor after I posted my question and it was charging like it should. I let it run for 2 or 3 minutes and decided to check the radiator since it has sat all summer. It was low, so I shut it off and mixed some antifreeze and put it in. I started it up and no charge, I revved up the motor and still no charge. While running, I used my test light on all of the terminals. While running and not charging on the guage, I have a lite on the center terminal of the regulator as before and a lite on the right terminal of the regulator marked L. No lite anywhere else. After reading John Ts post, I am thinking maybe the ground on the regulator. I'll try taking it off and cleaning it up tomorrow and see what happens.

John T · Oct 5, 2021

Good idea, BOTH the Voltage Regulator and genny need good solid grounds. When it stops charging try to ground the Gennys FLD post to see if that makes it charge?? If so then but NOT otherwise the genny itself is okay and either the VR is bad or it has a bad ground. Ya know once a good working battery is fully charged the VR's job is to back off charging, maybe its doing its job?? However if you turn on lights etc that should create enough of a load to cause generator current to pump charging amps INTO the battery as shown on the ammeter. Does it have a good working ammeter ?? they can go bad. If its charging (even if ammeter is bad) a volt meter on the battery should rise to at least 13 up to 14 or so subject to RPM, genny and battery condition.....

VR's can have oxidized or burned or carboned up relay contacts that cause problems

A 4 terminal VR that has the extra 4th LOAD terminal is used to supply current to loads like lights and ignition. Ive see 3 terminal (BAT GEN FLD) and 4 terminal (BAT GEN FLD LOAD) VR's swappped out which can still work IF wired right, perhaps thats an issue??

Check connections and grounds, take two aspirins and call me at the office

John T

JMOR · Oct 5, 2021

(quoted from post at 20:05:31 10/05/21) Good idea, BOTH the Voltage Regulator and genny need good solid grounds. When it stops charging try to ground the Gennys FLD post to see if that makes it charge?? If so then but NOT otherwise the genny itself is okay and either the VR is bad or it has a bad ground. Ya know once a good working battery is fully charged the VR's job is to back off charging, maybe its doing its job?? However if you turn on lights etc that should create enough of a load to cause generator current to pump charging amps INTO the battery as shown on the ammeter. Does it have a good working ammeter ?? they can go bad. If its charging (even if ammeter is bad) a volt meter on the battery should rise to at least 13 up to 14 or so subject to RPM, genny and battery condition.....

VR's can have oxidized or burned or carboned up relay contacts that cause problems

A 4 terminal VR that has the extra 4th LOAD terminal is used to supply current to loads like lights and ignition. Ive see 3 terminal (BAT GEN FLD) and 4 terminal (BAT GEN FLD LOAD) VR's swappped out which can still work IF wired right, perhaps thats an issue??

Check connections and grounds, take two aspirins and call me at the office

John T

peaking of wiring, I was wondering why there are two wires on generator Armature terminal? Not that it is cause of problem, but just didn't look right.

Oliver550 not charging

super99

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John T

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super99

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John T

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JMOR

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