alternator

Roby L Baisden · Apr 28, 2011

I have a ford 601 workmaster and I think the reason it's not charging is the alternator is not wired properly. Can anyone help me with this problem? Does anyone have a wiring diagram?

old · Apr 28, 2011

First off what alternator is it??? If it is the common Delco 10si they are very easy to wore up. The big post you run a wire from it to the battery side of the solenoid. The 2 wire plug you wire the #2 wire to the big post and the #1 you wire to the ignition switch with a diode or lite bulb in that wire. I use Radio shack 276-1661 the line goes towards the alternator

Mike (WA) · Apr 28, 2011

Rich, is that Radio Shack part number a light, or a diode? I'm going to redo my Cockshutt 35, and would like one of those big red "jewel" lights, but not sure what to get.

Roby L Baisden · Apr 28, 2011

The alternator on my Ford 601 has a red wire marked battery and there's a snap in plug at the top with 2 wires. Does any of these wires go to the voltage regulator?

old · Apr 28, 2011

That part # is a diode which is way over kill. As for a light bulb one like used to light a simple gauge works well

old · Apr 28, 2011

Sounds like a Delco 10si to me. No throw the old V.R away the delco has a built in V.R. Wire like I said be sure the wire from the #1 wire out of that snap in plug goes to the coil side of the ignition switch or you can even wire it right to the ignition side if the coil to save wire

ldj · Apr 28, 2011

I have installed a number of these and never used a light bulb or diode. What is it for?

A diode lets current flow 1 way while a light bulb current can flow either way.

mite-help · Apr 28, 2011

hello idj--the reason for diode or bulb is to prevent backfeeding to the ign. coil-will keep tractor from dying when you cut the switch in some cases--

Jon Hagen · Apr 28, 2011

Roby, is the alternator plug on the rear face of the alternator with the plug terminals mounted like this {ll} ? If so it may be a Delco 10DN that needs an external regulator.

If the plug is on the side of the rear edge of the alternator case with the terminals mounted like this [--], then it may be a Delco SI series with built in regulator.

I am not familiar with a 601, does it have an amp guage or a charge light ?

If it has an ammeter, the big BAT stud on the alternator rear should connect to the ammeter post opposite the one that goes to the starter/ battery.
If no ammeter, connect the BAT stud wire to the battery at the starter switch.
The Red #2 alternator lead is also attached to the BAT stud on the alternator rear.
The white #1 wire connects to the gen light if the tractor has one, if not it goes to switched ignition power with either an added gen light or a diode inline in the #1 wire, somwhere between the alternator and ignition switch.

If you do have the 10DN made for an external regulator( plug terninals like this [II]), let me know and I will post a wiring digram for that external regulator type alternator.

Jon Hagen · Apr 28, 2011

Yep, the diode will block backfeed to the ignition system, while the light will limit backfeed to a level too low to power the ignition system or damage the regulator and diode trio if the main BAT lead goes open.

ldj · Apr 28, 2011

Mite,
How can a light bulb help? I'm no electrical guru but current will flow a light bulb either direction. When I installed mine I always put a switch there. However a diode would do the same thing and I wouldn't have to remember to cut it on and off. I don't understand the light bulb.

Geo-TH,In · Apr 28, 2011

You can get a wiring diagram from the boys on the ford sight. I just replaced a alternator like you have. The big bolt connection go directly to the + of the battery. The plug in connection on the right is connected directly to the + wire on the alternator out. The terminal on the left is where a diode or idiot light connects. My tractor, an IH C, had a diode and it worked just fine. I replaced my alternator because the bearings was talking too much. The new alternator came from auto zone and it didn't work. So I took it back. They tested it and said there was nothing wrong with it. So I purchased from then an idiot light kit and removed the diode. My new alternator now acts like the alternator on my Jubilee. It takes a few seconds for it to wake up and I have to increase the RPM's to get it to charge. The ford is 1200. Once it starts to charge, I can slow the engine down and it will continue to charge.

I'm not a rocket scientist, so I can't tell you why both alternators are a little slow. It's just one of those things I put up with.

BTW, most places will test your alter for free.

Mike (WA) · Apr 28, 2011

Will the light bulb also act as an "idiot light" if the alternator is not putting out?

horsepoor · Apr 28, 2011

(quoted from post at 16:12:25 04/28/11) I have a ford 601 workmaster and I think the reason it's not charging is the alternator is not wired properly. Can anyone help me with this problem? Does anyone have a wiring diagram?

This is a diagram of my Farmall 240, but should work for most.

-Horsepoor

Dave Sherburne NY · Apr 28, 2011

Here's how its done. I used the diode in mine from Radio Shack really cheap.
altternator hookup

old · Apr 28, 2011

If wired and working the correct way if you do not use a light bulb, diode or ballast resister the alternator will back feed the ignition system so you can not shut the engine off. Ya if you use a 1 wire that is not a problem

old · Apr 28, 2011

A light bulb works like a small resister so that is enough to make the ignition system able to not be back feed enough current to feed the coil so in turn you can shut the engine down with the switch

old · Apr 28, 2011

In theory yes it should be I have had systems where the bulb would stay lit but the charging system was working just fine so that is why I prefer the diode

Jon Hagen · Apr 28, 2011

Yes, when wired correctly, the idiot light will serve as a charge / no charge indicator as well as a backfeed limiter. Thats how your standard GM gen / alt light works.

mEl · Apr 29, 2011

(quoted from post at 20:36:24 04/28/11) Yes, when wired correctly, the idiot light will serve as a charge / no charge indicator as well as a backfeed limiter. Thats how your standard GM gen / alt light works.

Generally when the charge lite stays on while the unit is charging it indicates a fault in the diode trio in the 10si series, one third of the trio can be out and the output will decline by a third. mEl

Roby L Baisden · Apr 30, 2011

Jon, thanks so much for the help. Yes, I would very much like to see that diagram. I'll run this by you. There was a man told me the other day that behind the alternator was a round spot about the size of a quarter and it was magnetized. He said take a dime or nickel and put it on that spot and if it sticks the alternator is charging. If it doesn't the alt. is not charging. I didn't think a magnet would pick up a coin.

Roby L Baisden · Apr 30, 2011

Jon, the plug on my alt. looks like this(_ _).

alternator

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