Not Charging.....

[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

[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.

[tst]

See if this link helps
Tim
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=72652

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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