Farmall Cub

Hello everyone! I took my '54 Betty out to clear snow for the first time this year. I was very impressed with the tractor's ability to move even the largest piles...with the exception of whether or not I could get traction on my paved driveway. Anywho - I went to push a mound across our road and stalled in the middle of it. The tractor wouldn't even turn over. Before the town plow came zipping around the corner I managed to tow the Cub back up the driveway with my car. I tested the battery. Dead. I charged it, put it back in the Cub and started her up. The ammeter was just stone dead. No charge.

Is there a way to test the generator without having to take the entire hood off and trace all of the wiring? I'm not all that interested in trying to use little tools with frozen fingers in 20-something weather if you catch my drift. THANK YOU in advance.

Just a quick thought - with the tractor running or not the ammeter goes negative when I turn the lights on. So that connection seems functional.

http://www.cleancomputes.com/Cub/Mainte ... 0Chart.jpg
This help me

Tough to work on Cubs in the winter. The troubleshooting flow chart will help you pin it down. There is a slight chance your generator lost it's 'polarity'.

Plan B would be keep the battery on a charger (preferably a 'smart' one) and that way you can at least use it, be sparing with the lights, they use a lot of power. A Cub will go a pretty long time on a charged battery, the ignition doesn't use much power.

Ah now that's a good chart to keep handy! Sadly, and as some of the fine gentlemen here can attest, I have a horrible electrical system. My cutout appears to be an original item from a Model A. I removed it and all of the wiring that goes along with it, giving each contact a good cleaning and still no increase in voltage at the battery between running and not. I have a feeling it may have finally "cut out..." But yes since the tractor starts and runs on a full battery I'm just going to deal with it until spring. I'll throw on the trickle charger when needed. I'm going to pick up a new voltage regulator this week and see if I can wire it properly. I believe a "warm-up" is in order in a few days. We might actually see 40. Just warm enough to be moderately comfortable in the garage.

I bet you will find it is the regulator.