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Not Charging.....

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 7:58 am
by vwfish
Ok guys, next problem.

The charging gauge shows a negative number and the battery doesn't appear to be charging.
I haven't gone through the wiring connections to see what the previous hack....I mean, owner rigged.
Just wondering if there is a "typical thing" that causes this issue.
It's a '47 with a rebuilt generator (supposedly), so it's 6V with a positive ground which is kind of odd for me.

Thanks

Re: Not Charging.....

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:28 am
by ntrenn
Any where there is a wire connection, starting with the Field and Armature connections on the genny and work back toward the battery.
Get out your wire brush and wire brush every bolt/screw connection.
Then, if still not charging, I took the cover off the regulator and manually moved the contact levers while running and all was back to normal.

Re: Not Charging.....

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 8:37 am
by tst
See if this link helps
Tim
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=72652

Re: Not Charging.....

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:14 am
by Jim Becker
If there is a "typical thing" that goes wrong in a charging system, it is a lack of good ground connections. For a cut-out system (what your tractor had originally) to work, you need to have good grounds not only for the battery and generator but also the CUT-OUT and the HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Don't take the cover off the cut-out (or regulator) until you have eliminatad all other possibilities. More regulators have been ruined by taking the cover off than have been fixed by taking the cover off.

Re: Not Charging.....

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 12:31 pm
by Matt Kirsch
6V positive ground was the standard in the 1940's and well into the 1950's. That's for tractors, cars, trucks, everything... 12V negative ground is something fairly new.

A quick test to see if the generator is okay: Connect the F terminal on the generator to the tractor's frame. If the generator starts charging there is something wrong with the cutout/regulator or the wiring or the ground.

I have a test lead with alligator clips on both ends for this kind of troubleshooting, though last week I used a piece of smooth fence wire to perform the test on my Dad's tractor.

Re: Not Charging.....

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 6:35 pm
by Bus Driver
GM vehicles have been negative ground as far back as my knowledge goes. I learned a lot about driving in a 1933 Chevrolet with most of the body removed. Had never driven on paved road until I was taking the driver license road test on my 16th birthday- passed. Never have seen a Chevrolet with positive ground.

Re: Not Charging.....

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:13 pm
by vwfish
I should have known.
I also have two 60's era VW Buses and whenever there is an electrical problem it's almost always a ground connection.
I will have to run the connections this weekend, assuming it's warm enough to do so.
Spring can't come soon enough this year.

Thanks

Re: Not Charging.....

Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 2:47 pm
by vwfish
So while I had the hydraulic cylinder out (see other post) I decided to debug the wiring.
Between two different diagrams I found on the site I was able to figure out the issue.
1. The PO had the light/charging switch wired incorrectly
2. The generator needed to be polarized

Charges nicely now!!

Re: Not Charging.....

Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 9:53 pm
by Rudi
Nice to hear that the gremlin was found and fixed :D Sometimes it really is the simple stuff :!: