With a on off switch to the alternator "excite" terminal, (assuming you shut that switch off when the tractor is not running) the tractor seems to be wired OK. (I prefer either a parking light bulb (filament type not LED), or a diode in the excite wire because it is convenient. The most likely problem is the internal diodes in the alternator. If one of these has gone bad, it will pass current in the wrong direction letting the battery go down. The remaining diodes will work well enough to charge the battery when used. Use a multi meter with a built in amp meter as follows: Disconnect the alternator big wire. Set the amp meter on its highest amp setting (you may need to move a lead to a different spot on the meter) connect the amp meter leads with the black on the post of alternator and the red on the wire you disconnected. The reading should be less than 150 milliamps. You may need to adjust the meter settings to get an "in range reading". 1000ma equals one amp, so 150 milliamps equals .15 amps. If it is more like one amp, the the battery will drain in approximately 50 hrs (this depends on the battery and is not a hard number) If it is less than the 150ma, the diodes are OK. A battery with a cell going bad can also self discharge. This mimics the situation you have. Even new batteries can be bad. JimN
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Tractor Traction - by Chris Pratt. Our first bout with traction problems came when cultivatin with our Massey-Harris Pony. Up till then, this tractor had been running a corn grinder and pulling a trailer. It had new unfilled rear tires and no wheel weights. The garden was already sprouting when we hooked up the mid-mount shovel cultivators to the Pony. The seed bed was soft enough that the rear end would spin and slowly work its way to the downhill side of the gardens slight incline. From this, we learned our lesson sinc
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
