Another Generator question

[DuaneFriend]

Recently, I noticed that my cub was no longer charging. After doing research on this site, I used the helpful flow chart to determine that the voltage regulator was bad.
I wasn't real sure about my generator either so I sent both to my local generator shop for testing. I was told the generator was good but regulator was not. I bought a new regulator and put it all back together. Upon starting, it began charging at 10 amps. After 20 seconds or so, it cut out and went to discharge for 20 - 30 seconds and then began charging again. After a short while I shut it off. Starting it up later, it no longer will charge. I wonder what happened. I did not have time to run through the flow chart again. Will regulators go bad that fast? I am fairly certain the wiring harness is original. Could there be a problem there? Any thoughts are appreciated. I am not a master mechanic by any stretch of the imagination. I just like tractors.

Thanks

[Glen]

Hi,
I'm in Wa. too. Yes, a new regulator could quit that fast if it is defective. You needed to polarize the system before starting the engine, after putting the new regulator on. It is not hard to do, you need a piece of automotive wire, 10 inches long or so, and bare the 2 ends back 1/8 inch or so. Here is a page from the Cub owner's manual telling how to do it, the directions start at the lower left side of the page.
I don't know how your wiring harness is, without being there to see it, it could have a problem, or could still be good.
You could clean the wire ends on every wire you can get at, if you have the hood off the Cub.
The connections have to make good contact for it to work right.
Disconnect the battery ground first is better. Remove each wire one at a time, sand the end, and the part where the end sits on. Wipe them off with a clean rag, they should be shiny clean metal. Then put it back on. Do only one at a time so you don't have more than one unhooked, then they don't get mixed up.

http://www.cleancomputes.com/Cub/Cub%20 ... age-40.jpg

[DuaneFriend]

I did polarize it before I started it. I will call the generator shop today and see what they say. I replaced the voltage regulator just 2 years ago. I had another old tractor for years and never had any problems with the vr.

[Oldthings]

Take the cover off the voltage regulator and gently pull up on the contacts. One may be stuck. I had a similar problem on 75 cub that was used everyday. One day I started it and notice the amp guage indicated discharge. While the cover was off, I used a emory board like you use to file fingernails with. I ran it back and forth between all the contacts and haven't had any problems since. A quick shot of WD 40 at the base of the contacts would not either.

[staninlowerAL]

Emery Board will usually work but can leave behind a residue that can give problems later, IH recommends a points file for this maintenance as well as the points (search this topic for more posts on this subject). Stan